Din & Daf: Conceptual Analysis of Halakha Through Case Study with Dr. Elana Stein Hain

Negligence, followed by unavoidable interference: Who’s at fault?

Dr. Elana Stein Hain – [email protected]

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Bava Metzia 36a-b discusses the concept of תחילתו בפשיעה וסופו באונס, damage that resulted from a process that began with negligence but most immediately was caused by unavoidable interference. Should the person who was negligent originally be liable for compensation, does the unavoidability of the immediate cause of the damage change the equation of guilt? This is a great test case for considerations of responsibility!