Bava Kamma 50a
Digging Pits, Ditches and Caves
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Passage Content
If someone dug or opened a well and transferred
it to the public for their use, he is exempt from
damage caused by the well. If he dug or opened a well
and did not transfer it to the public, he is liable.
And this was the practice of Nechunya the digger of pits,
ditches, and caves, who would dig, open,
and transfer them to the public so that there would be
wells of water for public use. When the Sages heard about
the matter, they said: This individual has fulfilled
this halacha. Only this halacha and no more?
Isn’t it well known that Nechunya was a great man?
Rather, say: He fulfilled even this halacha and did
not forget to transfer the wells to the public.
it to the public for their use, he is exempt from
damage caused by the well. If he dug or opened a well
and did not transfer it to the public, he is liable.
And this was the practice of Nechunya the digger of pits,
ditches, and caves, who would dig, open,
and transfer them to the public so that there would be
wells of water for public use. When the Sages heard about
the matter, they said: This individual has fulfilled
this halacha. Only this halacha and no more?
Isn’t it well known that Nechunya was a great man?
Rather, say: He fulfilled even this halacha and did
not forget to transfer the wells to the public.