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What makes someone eligible for maaser ani when their property has lost value? The shiur analyzes Bava Kamma 7a-7b, distinguishing between actual market-price drops (where people are selling at lower prices) and situations where owners refuse to sell at reduced prices. A critical yesod emerges: the concept of "oni b'sha'ah"—temporary poverty where assets are inaccessible without loss.
This shiur presents a complex analysis of the Gemara (גמרא) in Bava Kamma 7a-7b dealing with the laws of maaser ani (the tithe for the poor) when property values decline. Rabbi Zweig focuses on resolving apparent contradictions in Rashi (רש"י)'s two interpretations (lashon kamma and lashon achrina) of when a property owner qualifies as poor enough to receive maaser ani. The Gemara discusses a case where someone owns property worth 200 zuz but cannot sell it at that price. The fundamental question is: does this person qualify as an oni (poor person) for maaser ani purposes? Rashi presents two different readings of the Gemara, each with radically different implications.
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Bava Kamma 7a-7b
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