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The third perek offers numerous illustrations of the basic principles we've developed so far. I'll highlight the basic categories, and point out some of the new ideas.
(1) Mishnayot 1-3 discuss cases in which a person brings or places objects into the public domain and these objects wind up causing damage to another person who is also in the public domain. The general guidelines here are that:
(a) You are responsible for any mishap that results from your having placed an object down in the public domain.
(b) If you accidentally dropped something in the public domain and this created a hazard, you are responsible for the consequences unless the consequences occurred before you had a realistic amount of time within which to clean up your mess.
(2) Mishnayot 4-6 (which to me have a kind of slapstick quality to them, but I'm sure that in reality the damages could be serious) lay down the principle that everyone is entitled to carry their wares or equipment through the public domain, with the provisos that (1) they maintain the necessary situational and spatial awareness to understand when they need to be giving a "heads up" to others in the public domain, and (2) they get back up on their feet as quickly as possible if they and/or their wares fall (end of Mishna 4).
Also of interest is the Gemara's comment on Mishna 6, that the only time that one is actually held not liable for damages cause while running in the public domain is on Friday afternoon, when running is common and is therefore to be reasonably expected by anyone who is out during those hours.
(3) Mishna 7 is an excellent illustration of the principle laid down back in 2: 6, that people (as opposed to animals) are always regarded as morally and legally liable when we do things that we know might bring harm to others. Mishna 10 is an extension of the same general theme, explicitly stating the obvious, namely that since humans are capable of conceptualizing ethical categories, we are held liable for many more categories of damages than our animals would be.
(4) Mishnayot 8 and 9 sort out what happens when two oxen gore one another, resulting in damage to both. The first thing that needs to be determined is the dollar differential between the amount of damage that each suffered. After that what needs to be determined is whether the party responsible for the greater damage is in the category of paying full damages or only half-damages.
(5) And finally, Mishna 10 introduces into our oxen mix the principle that when there is doubt as to the existence or extent of liability, it is the claimant who bears the burden of proof. This is a broad general principle in all of Halacha.
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