יום א Date: 19 Cheshvan, 5776 (11/20/16) – Bava Metzia Daf 55 ~ Eliezer Guterman

GREATEST GIFTS

[55a middle] Mishnah: There are five laws in which the minimum amount to apply would be a Perutah: Admissions to take an oath, the betrothal of a woman, deriving benefit from consecrated property (and being subject to violation of the prohibition of Me’ilah), requiring announcement of found objects, and requiring one who steals something and swears falsely to bring it back.
Ritva: Acquiring land is not needed to be mentioned in this list since it is included in the category of betrothing a woman. This analogy is learned from the words, “Kicha Kicha Misdei Efron.”
R’ Rosner explains the connection between field acquisitions (particularly of the Efron verse quoted above) and marriages. When Avraham bought the burial cave for 400 Shekalim (which was a huge amount of money), Efron was so enthralled since all that money was paid to him for some worthless dirt! Avraham was also so excited since he was able to acquire endless reward and an opening into the next world for simple physical cash! They each thought that they both had just gotten the best deal of their lives. This is also the exact idea of a marriage; Both sides have to feel as if they are receiving the best gift of their lives.

D-E-ep Thoughts: We should always put great efforts into and deeply value our marriages. Instead of acting selfishly, it is important to reflect on the greatest gift that our spouse continually gives us his/her-self! When we appreciate others it becomes that much easier to want to give back to them even more.