Bava Kamma 88: The Rights of Canaanite Slaves, Possession and Transfer or Property for Women

A very brief review of today's daf after a very long day:

The rabbis consider the specific differences between a Canaanite slave and others regarding payment of damages.  Women, minors, and others are compared with these slaves.   Some are permitted to be witnesses in certain circumstances and some are not, for example.  Within this discussion we learn much about power and status in antiquity, including the importance of lineage (both up, as in one's parents, and down, as in one's children).

The Gemara moves on to discuss how it might be disadvantageous to have an encounter with an "imbecile, a minor, or a deaf-mute".  To illustrate this, or perhaps for some other reason, the Gemara tells the story of a woman wanting to leave her property to her son before her husband has died.  The rabbis argue about how this might be desirable or even possible.  They consider the transfer of property and how circumstances might affect the right to possess or sell land.

While there is much to say about today's daf, it won't be said here today.