Bava Metzia 119a — the Talmud in English

And we learned [

should read: “And it was taught,” in the Tosefta of Orlah]

also concerning Orlah, in this manner:

A tree that emerges from the trunk, or from the roots, is liable for Orlah.

Since it is a tree in its own right, and even though it does not actually draw nourishment from the ground, its foliage is considered subordinate to its principal.

The words of Rabbi Meir.

Rabbi Judah says: That which emerges from the trunk is exempt; that which emerges from the roots is liable.

For we do not say that its foliage is considered subordinate to its principal.

And they are necessary!

There is a legal novelty in each of the Mishnayot.

For had it been taught

only in the

first Mishna [

the two gardens, one above the other, and the Mishna in Bava Batra, concerning one who purchases a tree within his fellow’s field], we would have said that only

in this case did Rabbi Judah say

that we do not say, “its foliage is considered subordinate to its principal,”

because it is monetary

and depends on people’s understanding. And according to people’s understanding, we do not consider its foliage subordinate to its principal.

But concerning Orlah, which is a prohibition, say that he agrees with Rabbi Meir.

And if it was stated in this case,

and if only the Tosefta of Orlah had been taught, we would have said that only

in this case did Rabbi Meir say

that we consider its foliage subordinate to its principal,

but concerning that case,

in monetary laws,

say that he agrees with Rabbi Judah,

that we follow people’s understanding.

And therefore

they are necessary,

to teach all the Mishnayot above.

We learned in the Mishna:

Rabbi Shimon said: Whatever the upper one can stretch out

his hand and take, that is his.

The scholars of the house of Rabbi Yannai said: Provided that he does not force himself.

He should not bend over into his fellow’s courtyard in a manner that endangers himself in order to pick the vegetable. Rather, he should pick only those vegetables that can be reached easily.

He raised a question

[he was uncertain]

Rav Anan, and some say Rabbi Jeremiah:

what is the law if the upper one

could reach its foliage

of the vegetable,

but could not reach its principal,

or conversely, if he

could reach its principal but could not reach its foliage

, what is the law?

And it remained in

teyku.

Ephraim the scribe, the student of Resh Lakish, said in the name of Resh Lakish: The halakha is according to Rabbi Shimon.

They said it before Shapur the king

and praised it, and

he said to them: A pavilion

should be bestowed upon Rabbi Shimon

Give praise to Rabbi Shimon, for he spoke well ].

[give praise to Rabbi Shimon, because he spoke well]. We have returned to you, chapter “The House and the Upper Story,” and the tractate Bava Metzia is completed.