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What does it mean for damage to be "meshuna" (unusual)? The shiur analyzes the fundamental dispute between Rav and Shmuel: Rav holds that if an animal could eat directly but eats through an unusual action, that's classified as keren; Shmuel holds anything done for food is shen, regardless of the manner. The Gemara (גמרא)'s discussion of reshus hamazik versus reshus harabim reveals deeper questions about whether payment is based on the nature of damage or on the manner of eating.
This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of Bava Kamma 21a-21b, focusing on the fundamental dispute between Rav and Shmuel regarding the classification of animal damage as either shen (tooth) or keren (horn). The central issue is understanding what constitutes "meshuna" (an unusual manner of damage) and how this affects liability. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining the Shita's explanation of why the Gemara (גמרא) can bring a proof from one case to another regarding meshuna. The Shita explains that the machlokes between Rav and Shmuel is not simply about whether specific acts are meshuna, but rather reflects a fundamental principle. According to Shmuel, anything done for the purpose of eating is classified as shen, even if done in an unusual manner. According to Rav, if an animal could eat something directly but chooses to eat it through an unusual action (like turning its head sideways - marzeres), that constitutes keren because the unusual manner indicates a different type of damage.
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Bava Kamma 21a-21b
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