Halacha
הלכה א
בְּהֵמָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת שֶׁהִזִּיקָה גּוֹבֶה חֲצִי נֵזֶק מִמֶּנָּה וּמִוְּלָדָהּ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מִגּוּפָהּ. אֲבָל תַּרְנְגלֶת שֶׁהִזִּיקָה אֵינוֹ גּוֹבֶה מִבֵּיצָתָהּ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַבֵּיצָה אֵינָהּ מִגּוּפָהּ אֲבָל מֻבְדֶּלֶת וּמֻפְרֶשֶׁת מִמֶּנָּה:
כסף משנה
1.
When an animal that is pregnant causes damage, the sum of half the damages may be expropriated from the mother and its offspring,1 I.e., if the body of the animal that caused the damage is not worth half the damage it caused, the remainder may be collected from its offspring. Even if for some reason the cow is not found, the entire sum may be collected from the calf Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 399:1). for the offspring are considered to be part of its body. When, by contrast, a chicken causes damage, the amount due may not be collected from its eggs. [The rationale is that a chicken's] eggs are not considered to be part of its body, but rather separate and distinct from it.2 It would appear that according to the Rambam, this applies even before the eggs are laid. Even while within the chicken, they are not considered part of its body. The Maggid Mishneh offers a different explanation, stating that while the eggs are within the chicken, they are considered to be part of its body (Ramah, Choshen Mishpat 399:1).הלכה ב
מְעֻבֶּרֶת שֶׁנָּגְחָה וְנִמְצָא וְלָדָהּ בְּצִדָּהּ וְאֵין יָדוּעַ אִם עַד שֶׁלֹּא נָגְחָה יָלְדָה אוֹ אַחַר שֶׁנָּגְחָה יָלְדָה. מְשַׁלֵּם חֲצִי נֵזֶק מִן הַפָּרָה וְאֵינוֹ גּוֹבֶה מִן הַוָּלָד כְּלוּם עַד שֶׁיָּבִיא רְאָיָה שֶׁבְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנָּגְחָה הָיְתָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת. שֶׁהַמּוֹצִיא מֵחֲבֵרוֹ עָלָיו לְהָבִיא הָרְאָיָה:
כסף משנה
2.
When a cow that is pregnant gored [another cow], and the calf [of the goring cow] is found at its side, but it is not known whether it had given birth before it gored or not, the sum of half the damages may be collected from the cow [alone]. Nothing may be collected from the calf, unless [the plaintiff can bring proof that it was pregnant when it gored. [The rationale is that] when a person desires to expropriate money from a colleague, the burden of proof is upon him.3 This is a fundamental principle, applicable in many contexts of Jewish business law.הלכה ג
שׁוֹר שֶׁנָּגַח פָּרָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת וְנִמְצָא עֻבָּרָהּ נוֹפֵל בְּצִדָּהּ וְאֵין יָדוּעַ אִם עַד שֶׁלֹּא נְגָחָהּ הִפִּילָה אוֹ מֵחֲמַת נְגִיחָה הִפִּילָה. מְשַׁלֵּם נֵזֶק הַפָּרָה וְאֵינוֹ מְשַׁלֵּם נֵזֶק הַוָּלָד. שֶׁהַמּוֹצִיא מֵחֲבֵרוֹ עָלָיו הָרְאָיָה:
כסף משנה
3.
[Similarly,] if a bull gores a pregnant cow and we find its calf stillborn at her side, and we do not know if it gave birth to the stillborn calf before it was gored,4 And thus the owner of the bull has no responsibility for the death of the calf. or it gave birth to the stillborn calf because it was gored, [the owner of the bull] is required to pay for [only] the damage to the cow and not the damage to the calf. For when a person desires to expropriate money from a colleague, the burden of proof is upon him.5 Even when the owner of the ox does not know whether or not his ox caused the damage, as long as the owner of the cow cannot support his claim with witnesses, the owner of the ox is not liable Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 399:3).הלכה ד
נָגַח פָּרָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת וְהִפִּילָה. אֵין שָׁמִין פְּחַת פָּרָה בִּפְנֵי עַצְמָהּ וּפְחַת הַוָּלָד בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ. אֶלָּא שָׁמִין כַּמָּה הָיְתָה הַפָּרָה שָׁוָה כְּשֶׁהָיְתָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת וּבְרִיאָה וְכַמָּה הִיא שָׁוָה עַכְשָׁו הִיא וְהַנֵּפֶל שֶׁלָּהּ וּמְשַׁלֵּם הַפְּחָת אוֹ חֶצְיוֹ אִם הָיָה תָּם:
כסף משנה
4.
When [an ox] gores a pregnant cow and causes it to miscarry, we do not evaluate the damage to the cow separately and the damage to the calf separately,6 I.e., the difference in value between a living calf and a dead one. [and obligate the owner of the ox for the total]. Instead, we evaluate the worth of the cow when it was pregnant and healthy7 Implied is that when a cow is pregnant it adds weight, which increases its value. and compare it to its present worth and that of the body of the fetus. The owner of the ox must pay the difference8 Obviously, a lesser amount. [if it was mu'ad] or half the difference if it was tam.הלכה ה
הָיְתָה הַפָּרָה לְאֶחָד וְהַוָּלָד לְאֶחָד הֲרֵי פְּחַת הַשֻּׁמָּן שֶׁפָּחַת גּוּף הַפָּרָה לְבַעַל הַפָּרָה. וּפְחַת הַנֶּפַח חוֹלְקִין אוֹתוֹ בַּעַל הַפָּרָה עִם בַּעַל הַוָּלָד. וְהַנֵּפֶל שֶׁל בַּעַל הַוָּלָד:
כסף משנה
5.
If the cow was owned by one person and the calf by another,9 I.e., the owner had sold the rights to the calf to another person before it was born. the loss in the fat of the cow [caused by the miscarriage] is owed to the owner of the cow; the loss of the cow's bulk10 Which appears larger and is therefore worth more Tur and Ramah (Choshen Mishpat 399:5). is divided between the owner of the cow and the owner of the calf. The carcass of the calf belongs to the owner of the calf.הלכה ו
שׁוֹר שֶׁהָיָה רוֹדֵף אַחַר שׁוֹר אַחֵר וְהֻזַּק. הַנִּזָּק אוֹמֵר שׁוֹרְךָ הִזִּיק וְזֶה אוֹמֵר אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁמָּא בְּסֶלַע לָקָה. הַמּוֹצִיא מֵחֲבֵרוֹ עָלָיו הָרְאָיָה. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַנִּזָק אוֹמֵר אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ בְּוַדַּאי וְזֶה אוֹמֵר אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ. טָעַן הַנִּזָּק וְאָמַר וַדַּאי אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁשּׁוֹרְךָ הִזִּיק הֲרֵי זֶה נִשְׁבָּע שְׁבוּעַת הֶסֵּת שֶׁאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ אִם הָיָה מוּעָד. אֲבָל אִם הָיָה תָּם פָּטוּר אַף מִשְּׁבוּעַת הֶסֵּת שֶׁאֲפִלּוּ הוֹדָה מֵעַצְמוֹ פָּטוּר שֶׁחֲצִי נֵזֶק קְנָס הוּא וּמוֹדֶה בִּקְנָס פָּטוּר הוּא:
כסף משנה
6.
[The following rules apply when] one ox was pursuing another ox, and one was damaged. [If the owner of the ox] that was damaged said: "It was your ox that caused the damage," and [the owner of the other ox] said, "I do not know, perhaps it was damaged by a rock,"11 Even when it ran into the rock because it was pursued, the other ox is considered to be merely an indirect cause of damage (grama), and the owner is not liable (Sefer Me'irat Einayim 400:1). the burden of proof is upon the one who wishes to exact payment. [This ruling applies] even though the one whose property was damaged states: "I am certain [that your ox caused the damages], and the other person says: "I do not know." If the person whose property was damaged claims: "You certainly know that your ox caused the damage,"12 And are withholding payment only because you know that I cannot produce witnesses. if [his ox] was mu'ad, [the other person] is required to take a Rabbinic oath that he does not know [that his ox caused the damage]. If, however, [his ox] was tam, he is not required to take a Rabbinic oath. [The rationale is that] even if he admitted [that his ox had caused the damage], he would not be liable. For the liability for half the damages is a fine,13 See Chapter 2, Halachah 7. and a person who admits culpability for a fine [when there are no witnesses to obligate him] is not liable.הלכה ז
הָיוּ שְׁנַיִם רוֹדְפִין אַחַר אֶחָד וַהֲרֵי עֵדִים שֶׁאֶחָד מֵהֶן הִזִּיק וְאֵין הָעֵדִים יוֹדְעִים אֵיזֶהוּ מִשְּׁנֵיהֶם. זֶה אוֹמֵר שׁוֹרְךָ הִזִּיק וְזֶה אוֹמֵר שׁוֹרְךָ הִזִּיק שְׁנֵיהֶם פְּטוּרִין. וְאִם הָיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם שֶׁל אִישׁ אֶחָד חַיָּב לְשַׁלֵּם מִגּוּף הַפָּחוּת שֶׁבִּשְׁנֵיהֶם. וְאִם הָיוּ מוּעָדִין מְשַׁלֵּם נֵזֶק שָׁלֵם מִנְּכָסָיו:
כסף משנה
7.
[A person whose ox was damaged has no legal redress in the following instance.] Two [oxen belonging to two separate owners] were pursuing a third ox. Witnesses saw that one of the oxen caused the third ox damage, but were not able to identify which ox caused the damage. [Since] one of the owners claims, "Your ox caused the damage," and the other claims, "Your ox caused the damage," neither is liable. If both oxen belong to the same person, he is liable to pay from the body of the less valuable [ox, if that ox is tam].14 One of this man's oxen caused the damage, and the damage must be paid for from the body of the ox itself. If the damage was worth more than the value of the lesser ox, the owner of the damaged ox can collect only the value of the lesser ox. The rationale is that there is no proof that the damage was caused by the more valuable ox. If both oxen are mu'adim, he must pay the full amount of the damage from his property.הלכה ח
בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּשֶׁשְּׁנֵי הַשְּׁוָרִים עוֹמְדִין. אֲבָל אִם מֵת אֶחָד מֵהֶן אוֹ אָבַד וְהָיָה אֶחָד מֵהֶן תָּם אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן שֶׁל אִישׁ אֶחָד פָּטוּר. שֶׁהֲרֵי אוֹמֵר לוֹ הָבֵא רְאָיָה שֶׁזֶּה הָעוֹמֵד הוּא שֶׁהִזִּיק וַאֲשַׁלֵּם לְךָ:
כסף משנה
8.
When does the above apply? When both oxen are present before us. If, however, one of the oxen died or was lost, and it was tam, [their owner] is not liable even though they both belong to him. For he can tell the person whose property was damaged: "Prove to me that it was the ox that is here that caused the damage, and I will pay you."15 Payment for damage caused by an ox that is tam must be expropriated from the body of the ox. If that ox is not present, the damage cannot be collected.הלכה ט
הָיוּ שְׁנֵי הַשְּׁוָרִים הָרוֹדְפִין אֶחָד גָּדוֹל וְאֶחָד קָטָן. הַנִּזָּק אוֹמֵר גָּדוֹל הִזִּיק וְהַמַּזִּיק אוֹמֵר קָטָן הִזִּיק. הָיָה אֶחָד תָּם וְאֶחָד מוּעָד הַנִּזָּק אוֹמֵר מוּעָד הִזִּיק וְהַמַּזִּיק אוֹמֵר תָּם הִזִּיק. הַמּוֹצִיא מֵחֲבֵרוֹ עָלָיו הָרְאָיָה:
כסף משנה
9.
[Similar principles apply in a case where an ox was damaged by one of two oxen belonging to the same owner.] One of the two oxen that pursued [the damaged ox] was large and one was small. If the person whose ox was damaged claims that it was the larger one that caused the damage,16 This is significant when the extent of the damages exceeds the value of the smaller ox. and the person whose oxen caused the damage claims that the smaller one caused the damage, [the burden of proof is upon the one who wishes to exact payment].17 If there are no witnesses present at all (in contrast to the instance described in the following halachah), in both this and the second clause of this halachah the person whose ox caused the damage is not liable at all. For the obligation that he admits (that the smaller ox or the tam) caused the damage, is not the obligation claimed by the person whose ox was damaged (Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Bava Kama 3:11). (See also Halachah 11 and notes.) [Similarly,] if one of the oxen was tam and the other mu'ad, and the person whose ox was damaged claims that it was the mu'ad that caused the damage,18 This is significant because it determines whether the person receives half the amount of the damages or the full amount. and the person whose oxen caused the damage claims that the tam caused the damage, the burden of proof is upon the one who wishes to exact payment.הלכה י
לֹא הָיְתָה שָׁם רְאָיָה בְּרוּרָה שֶׁזֶּה הִזִּיק אֶלָּא עֵדִים מְעִידִים שֶׁאֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי אֵלּוּ הִזִּיק מְשַׁלֵּם הַמַּזִּיק כְּמוֹ שֶׁאוֹמֵר. וְאִם טָעַן הַנִּזָּק שֶׁאַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ וַדַּאי שֶׁזֶּה הִזִּיק בְּפָנֶיךָ הֲרֵי הַמַּזִּיק נִשְׁבָּע שְׁבוּעַת הַתּוֹרָה וּמְשַׁלֵּם כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוֹדָה שֶׁהֲרֵי הוֹדָה בְּמִקְצָת:
כסף משנה
10.
If there was no clear proof which of the oxen caused the damage, but witnesses testify that one of the two oxen [owned by this person] caused the damage, the person whose oxen caused the damage must pay the amount he admits.19 In this instance, as opposed to an instance where there are no witnesses at all, the owner is obligated to pay the debt he admits, because of the testimony of the witnesses (Maggid Mishneh).The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 400:3) quotes the Rambam's decision. The Tur and the Ramah, however, differ and maintain that if the person whose ox causes the damage makes a definitive claim saying that the other ox caused the damage, he is not liable at all. If the person whose property was damaged claimed, "You know that the damage was caused by the other ox in your presence,"20 I.e., if the owner of the goring ox indeed did not know which ox caused the damage, he could not be held liable for the greater amount. The person whose ox was damaged is, however, maintaining that the owner in fact does know and is concealing the matter so as not to be held liable. the person whose ox caused the damage must take an oath mandated by Scriptural law.21 As the Rambam explains, whenever a person admits a portion of a claim lodged against him, he is obligated to support his claim with an oath. He is referred to as a modeh b'miktzat (Hilchot To'en V'Nit'an 1:1).The Ra'avad maintains that an oath is required only in a case when one ox is tam and one ox is mu'ad, for the claim against the tam can be considered to be part of the claim against the mu'ad. When, however, both oxen are tam, the two claims are considered to be unrelated and no oath is required. Rabbenu Asher goes further and considers the claims to be unrelated in both instances. See Siftei Cohen 400:5, which discusses this issue. He then pays the amount he admitted. [The oath is required] because he admitted a portion [of the claim levied against him].הלכה יא
הָיוּ הַנִּזָּקִין שְׁנַיִם אֶחָד גָּדוֹל וְאֶחָד קָטָן וְהַמַּזִּיקִין אֶחָד גָּדוֹל וְאֶחָד קָטָן. הַנִּזָּק אוֹמֵר גָּדוֹל הִזִּיק אֶת הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּטָן אֶת הַקָּטָן וְהַמַּזִּיק אוֹמֵר לֹא כִּי אֶלָּא קָטָן הִזִּיק אֶת הַגָּדוֹל וְגָדוֹל אֶת הַקָּטָן. אוֹ שֶׁהָיָה אֶחָד תָּם וְאֶחָד מוּעָד הַנִּזָּק אוֹמֵר הַמּוּעָד הִזִּיק אֶת הַגָּדוֹל וְתָם הִזִּיק אֶת הַקָּטָן וְהַמַּזִּיק אוֹמֵר תָּם הִזִּיק אֶת הַגָּדוֹל וְהַמּוּעָד הִזִּיק אֶת הַקָּטָן. הַמּוֹצִיא מֵחֲבֵרוֹ עָלָיו הָרְאָיָה. לֹא הָיְתָה שָׁם רְאָיָה בְּרוּרָה הַמַּזִּיק פָּטוּר. לְמָה זֶה דּוֹמֶה לְזֶה טוֹעֵן אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ חִטִּים וְהוֹדָה לוֹ בִּשְׂעוֹרִים שֶׁהוּא נִשְׁבַּע שְׁבוּעַת הֶסֵּת וּפָטוּר אַף מִדְּמֵי שְׂעוֹרִים כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר בְּהִלְכוֹת טוֹעֵן. וְאִם תָּפַס הַנִּזָּק הֲרֵי זֶה מְשַׁלֵּם לַקָּטָן מִן הַגָּדוֹל וְלַגָּדוֹל מִן הַקָּטָן כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוֹדָה הַמַּזִּיק. אֲבָל אִם לֹא תָּפַס אֵין מוֹצִיאִין מִן הַמַּזִּיק כְּלוּם:
כסף משנה
11.
[The following rules apply when] two oxen were damaged, one large and one small, and there were two oxen that caused the damage, one large and one small. The person whose oxen were damaged claims: the large ox damaged the large ox, and the small ox damaged the small ox.22 This difference is significant if the oxen that caused the damage are tamim, for then the payment is expropriated from the body of the ox, and it is possible that the value of the small ox that caused the damage will be less than that of the large ox that was damaged. The person whose oxen caused the damage, by contrast claims: "No. It was the small ox that damaged the large one, and the large ox that damaged the small one." [A similar dispute arises if] one [of the oxen that caused the damage] was mu'ad and the other tam. The person whose oxen were damaged claims: the ox that was mu'ad damaged the large ox, and the ox that was tam damaged the small ox.23 This difference is significant, because when an ox is mu'ad, its owner is responsible for the entire amount of the damages, while when it is tam, only half the damages are required. Needless to say, the full value of the large ox is far more than the full value of the small ox. By contrast, the person whose oxen caused the damage claims: "It was the ox that was tam that damaged the large one, and the ox that was mu'ad that damaged the small one." [In both these instances,] the burden of proof is upon the one who wishes to exact payment. If there is no proof,24 If, however, witnesses observed that the oxen belonging to the same owner caused the damage, but were not able to identify which one caused the damage, the owner is obligated to pay the amount he admits, as in the previous halachah (Maggid Mishneh). the one who caused the damage is not liable [at all]. To what can this be compared? To an instance where a person claims that a colleague owes him wheat, and the colleague admits to owing him barley. In such a case, [the defendant] is required to take a Rabbinic oath and then is not liable, even for the barley, as will be explained in Hilchot To'en.25 Chapter 3, Halachah 10. The rationale is that with regard to the instance when one ox is mu'ad, the defendant does not accept any liability with regard to the claim that the plaintiff makes, and the plaintiff has not made a claim regarding the sum the defendant admits liability for; therefore, the defendant is not held liable.With regard to the instance where both of the oxen are tamim, the defendant is not liable, because payment of half the damages is considered a fine, and a person who admits culpability for a fine is not liable (Maggid Mishneh).If the person whose oxen were damaged seizes possession [of property belonging to the person whose oxen caused the damage], he may take payment for the damages to the small ox from the body of the large ox and may take payment for the damages to the large ox from the body of the small ox, as the person who caused the damages admitted.26 Even the Tur and the Ramah (Choshen Mishpat 400:3), who view this situation more stringently than the Rambam, accept this principle. Moreover, according to their logic (see Choshen Mishpat 399:3), if there are no witnesses that the plaintiff seized possession of the property of the defendant, the plaintiff may keep an amount equal to his own claim.The above applies only when the plaintiff seizes possession of the defendant's property before taking the matter to court. If, however, he took the matter to court, and the court ruled in favor of the defendant, as the Rambam states, and then the plaintiff seizes the defendant's property, he must return it. If he did not seize possession [of such property], however, no money at all is expropriated from the person whose oxen caused the damage.הלכה יב
שׁוֹר שֶׁנָּגַח וְחָזַר וְנָגַח שׁוֹר אַחֵר הֲרֵי הַנִּזָּק הָרִאשׁוֹן וְהַבְּעָלִים שֻׁתָּפִין בּוֹ. כֵּיצַד. שׁוֹר שָׁוֶה מָאתַיִם שֶׁנָּגַח שׁוֹר שָׁוֶה מָאתַיִם וְאֵין הַנְּבֵלָה יָפָה כְּלוּם הַנִּזָּק נוֹטֵל מֵאָה וּבַעַל הַשּׁוֹר מֵאָה. חָזַר וְנָגַח שׁוֹר אַחֵר שָׁוֶה מָאתַיִם וְאֵין הַנְּבֵלָה יָפָה כְּלוּם הָאַחֲרוֹן נוֹטֵל מֵאָה וְהַנִּזָּק שֶׁלְּפָנָיו עִם הַבְּעָלִים נוֹטְלִין חֲמִשִּׁים חֲמִשִּׁים זוּז. חָזַר וְנָגַח שׁוֹר אַחֵר שָׁוֶה מָאתַיִם וְאֵין הַנְּבֵלָה יָפָה כְּלוּם הָאַחֲרוֹן נוֹטֵל מֵאָה וְנִזָּק שֶׁלְּפָנָיו חֲמִשִּׁים וְהַנִּזָּק הָרִאשׁוֹן עִם הַבְּעָלִים עֶשְׂרִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה עֶשְׂרִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה. וְכֵן עַל דֶּרֶךְ זוֹ חוֹלְקִין וְהוֹלְכִים:
כסף משנה
12.
When one ox gores [another ox] and then gores a third ox, the owner of the first ox that was gored and the owner [of the goring ox] are considered to be partners.27 Since the owner of the gored ox is granted a share in the body of the ox that gores, he is also given a share in the responsibility for its damages. What is implied? When an ox that is worth 200 [zuz] gores another ox that is worth 200 [zuz] and the carcass is not worth anything, the owner of the damaged ox is entitled to 100 [zuz from the ox that gored] and its owner 100 [zuz]. If that ox gores another ox that is worth 200 [zuz] and its carcass is of no value, the owner of the latter ox is entitled to 100 [zuz] and the owner of the first ox and the original owner of the ox are each entitled to 50 [zuz]. If that ox gores another ox that is worth 200 [zuz] and its carcass is of no value, the owner of the latter ox is entitled to 100 [zuz], the owner of the second ox that was gored is entitled to 50 [zuz], and the owner of the first ox and the original owner of the ox are each entitled to 25 [zuz]. This pattern is followed in the future [if the ox continues to gore].28 See Sefer Me'irat Einayim 401:1, which notes that generally after goring three times, an ox becomes considered mu'ad, and from that time onward, full damages for the damage caused by the ox must be paid. This complicates the matter.הלכה יג
נִזָּק שֶׁתָּפַס בְּהֵמָה שֶׁהִזִּיקָה לִגְבּוֹת חֲצִי נִזְקוֹ מִגּוּפָהּ נַעֲשָׂה עָלֶיהָ שׁוֹמֵר שָׂכָר לִנְזָקִין וְאִם יָצְתָה וְהִזִּיקָה הַנִּזָּק הָרִאשׁוֹן חַיָּב בִּנְזָקֶיהָ וְהַבְּעָלִים פְּטוּרִין. כֵּיצַד. שׁוֹר שָׁוֶה מָאתַיִם שֶׁנָּגַח וְהִפְסִיד מָאתַיִם וּתְפָסוֹ הַנִּזָּק לִגְבּוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ מֵאָה וְחָזַר וְנָגַח וְהִפְסִיד בְּמֵאָה וְאַרְבָּעִים הֲרֵי הַנִּזָּק הָאַחֲרוֹן מִשְׁתַּלֵּם שִׁבְעִים וְהַנִּזָּק הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁתְּפָסוֹ מִשְׁתַּלֵּם מוֹתַר נִזְקוֹ וְהוּא שְׁלֹשִׁים וְהַבְּעָלִים מֵאָה. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:
כסף משנה
13.
When a person whose [ox] was damaged seizes the animal that caused the damage in order to collect half the damages from its body, he is considered to be a paid watchman with regard to any damages it causes. Therefore, if it causes damages, the person whose ox was first damaged is liable, and its owner is not liable. What is implied? An ox that is worth 200 [zuz] gored [another ox], causing damages of 200 [zuz]. The person whose ox was damaged seized [the goring ox] in order to collect the 100 [zuz] that is due him,29 I.e., half the damages, as required when a tam gores. Afterwards, [the ox that caused the damage] gored [another ox], causing damages of 140 [zuz]. The person whose property was damaged last receives 70 [zuz], the person who took possession of the ox because it damaged his property receives the remainder of the damage done to his ox - 30 zuz30 I.e., since he was responsible for the ox at the time it caused the damages, he bears the entire financial responsibility. - and the original owner, 100 zuz.31 The Rambam's view is also shared by Rashi (Bava Kama 36b) and Rabbenu Yitzchak Alfasi, and is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 401:2). Tosafot, Rabbenu Asher and the Tur differ and maintain that the law mentioned in the previous halachah applies in this instance as well. Their view is quoted by the Ramah. The same principles apply in other similar situations.הלכה יד
שְׁנֵי שְׁוָרִים תַּמִּים שֶׁחָבְלוּ זֶה בָּזֶה מְשַׁלְּמִין בַּמּוֹתָר חֲצִי נֵזֶק. שְׁנֵיהֶם מוּעָדִין (אוֹ מוּעָד וְאָדָם) שֶׁחָבְלוּ זֶה בָּזֶה מְשַׁלְּמִין בַּמּוֹתָר נֵזֶק שָׁלֵם. אֶחָד תָּם וְאֶחָד מוּעָד. מוּעָד בְּתָם מְשַׁלֵּם בַּמּוֹתָר נֵזֶק שָׁלֵם תָּם בְּמוּעָד מְשַׁלֵּם בַּמּוֹתָר חֲצִי נֵזֶק. כֵּיצַד. שׁוֹר תָּם שֶׁהִפְסִיד בְּשׁוֹר תָּם אַחֵר שְׁוֵה מָנֶה וְחָזַר זֶה הָאַחֲרוֹן וְהִפְסִיד בָּרִאשׁוֹן שְׁוֵה אַרְבָּעִים הֲרֵי בַּעַל הָרִאשׁוֹן מְשַׁלֵּם לַבַּעַל הָאַחֲרוֹן שְׁלֹשִׁים. הָיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם מוּעָדִין בַּעַל הָרִאשׁוֹן מְשַׁלֵּם שִׁשִּׁים. הָרִאשׁוֹן מוּעָד וְאַחֲרוֹן תָּם בַּעַל הָרִאשׁוֹן מְשַׁלֵּם שְׁמוֹנִים. הָרִאשׁוֹן תָּם וְהָאַחֲרוֹן מוּעָד בַּעַל הָרִאשׁוֹן מְשַׁלֵּם עֲשָׂרָה:
כסף משנה