The biblical text for the requirements of returning lost objects, including which objects require returning. How, then, does the question of distinguishing marks come into play? The discussion begins with the documents of divorce, which may or may not be bound by the rabbinic enactment of distinguishing marks (when the divorce is a Torah command).

Bava Metzia 27: Returning Lost Objects Is a Mitzvah (But Not Quite Always)

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How being an orphan (minor) changes the terms of the prohibition against interest. Also, a new mishnah: fixed costs on what becomes a loan (via caring for an animal as an investment) cannot be paid back differently - to a Jew. When dealing with a non-Jew, extra payment is indeed allowed.

Bava Metzia 70: Charging Interest Non-Jews

More on the partnerships of yesterday's daf, but in story form. Plus, a new mishnah on appraising animals and their progeny, and when adding sums to the costs smacks of interest and when it doesn't at all.

Bava Metzia 69: Covering Costs

Rav Ashi shares a halacha about pledged property from the sages of Mechoza and explains the root of the word mishkanta. A new mishnah introduces iska and how it relates to a concern about interest.

Bava Metzia 68: Iska

A case where a woman instructs a man to go buy property from her relatives on her behalf, which gives rise to the relative's question whether he'll be able to buy the property back, if and when he gets the money to do so. Which in turn gives rise to a discussion of whether that re-purchase can happen, and then the fruits of the field in the interim is either fully fixed interest or possibly a "hint" or the "dust" of interest (which is a rabbinic prohibition). Plus, how does the sale compare to a loan under comparable terms? Also, delving into a case of fixed interest and, over time, a reduction of debt. Plus, loans canceled due to the shemittah year.

Bava Metzia 67: The Dust of Interest

The daf discusses different scenarios where a states condition may or may not be binding. The terms asmachta is used but in a way that is different than how it has been used before.

Bava Metzia 27: Returning Lost Objects Is a Mitzvah (But Not Quite Always)

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