Bava Batra 73: Ship Tales

We begin Perek V with a new Mishna: When a person sells a ship, the sail includes the sail, anchor and oars and the necessary equipment for sailing.  It does not automatically include the slaves/oarsmen, the merchandise, or the packing bags.  If a person says that the buyer is purchasing the ship and its contents, then everything is included in the sale.

The Gemara defines each of these items on a ship based on verses that describe the equipment of a ship.  We learn about the materials used to makes sails and oars.  We also learn about the names used for different types of boars.  

The rabbis then tell multiple tales of people at sea and other fantastical visions.  Some of these include:

• Rabba tells that striking a white headed wave that would sink a ship with clubs while proclaiming the name of G-d will end the threat of sinking
• Rabba mentions Hurmin, the son of Lilith, in one of his tales.  Herman is thought of as a demon, as one skilled in sorcery, as the evil inclination, and as the spiritual power of speed and haste.
• Rabba tells of a day-old antelope who is four parasangs high, as high as Mount Tabor.  It cast feces that blocked the Jordan River.

We hear about a giant frog, a fish who was large enough to destroy a village, and fat geese who leaked oil.  In part, the rabbis use some of these tales to better understand human relationships with G-d, and our responsibilities to the earth.