For the source text click/tap here: Gittin 48
To download, click/tap here: PDF
The fifth perek of Massekhet Gittin – perek ha-nizakin – begins on our daf. There are no discussions of divorce law in this perek;
it is a continuation of the previous perek which dealt with cases of rabbinic enactments established mipnei tikkun ha-olam.
The first Mishnah states: The court appraises land of superior quality [iddit] for payment to injured parties. And a creditor collects his debt from the debtor’s intermediate-quality land.
And payment of a woman’s marriage contract is collected from her husband’s inferior-quality land.
Rabbi Meir says: Payment of a woman’s marriage contract is also collected from intermediate-quality land.
The Gemora asks: Is this halachah (that we collect from the damager’s superior quality land) only an ordinance to benefit the public?
It is a Biblical law, as it is written: The best of his field and the best of his vineyard he shall pay!?
We explore the Talmud’s Economic Behavior, and the Study of Behavioral Economics.