For the source text click/tap here: Bava Metzia 74
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The Mishna had stated: If the seller was the earliest harvester [(meaning he was not a merchant who committed to supply wheat, but he actually had wheat), he can enter into a forward contract on his harvest (without having to wait for the market to set a price). This can also be done with vessels full of grapes or olives, on “eggs” of pottery (before they are made into pottery), and on plaster when going into the kiln.]
Rav said: If only two processes are missing before the goods are completed, a forward contract may be made (for then it is considered as if the goods are in his possession); if three are missing, no contract may be made.
Shmuel said: If the processes are to be done by the hands of man, even if a hundred are missing, a forward contract may be effected; if they are processes dependent on the hand of Heaven, even if only one is missing, no contract may be made.
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