A Little WisdomTalmud stories for everyday life
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014 · 8 panels

A Day Beside the Broken Vase

Looking beyond the damaged object, he began to see the day of those who had worked beside him.

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The colleagues had agreed to move the group's things for a fixed fee.
Jin

This is the last box. Thank you for all your hard work.

The colleagues had agreed to move the group's things for a fixed fee.

A crash came from the final box.
Story

The box tilted in the narrow passage.

A crash came from the final box.

His gaze shifted between the ceramic pieces and the payment envelope in his hand.
Jin

We'll have to work out the cost of what's broken first.

His gaze shifted between the ceramic pieces and the payment envelope in his hand.

Only then did Jin notice their tired hands and faces.
Colleague

We've been moving things since morning. We haven't eaten yet.

Only then did Jin notice their tired hands and faces.

They examined the scene together before deciding who should bear the cost.
Ara

We also left our things piled up in this passage.

They examined the scene together before deciding who should bear the cost.

The damaged object did not erase a day's work.
Jin

Let me pay the agreed fee first. We'll look into the damage separately, together.

The damaged object did not erase a day's work.

They agreed on the costs and on preparing the next move differently.
Jin

The group will cover this repair. Let's plan the route again, too.

They agreed on the costs and on preparing the next move differently.

Beside the broken vase remained a day of work they had shared.
Jin

Please have something to eat first. I'll tidy up here.

Beside the broken vase remained a day of work they had shared.

A thought from the Talmud

Even when something is lost, consider the circumstances of the people who worked alongside you.

The source idea in our own words · Not a direct quotation

Bava Metzia 83a:10 · Read the source ↗

A lesson for today

When damage occurs, we can examine its cause and discuss repairs together while remembering our promises to the people who did the work. In this story, the agreed work fee is paid and the group agrees to cover this repair. They also change the preparation and moving route for next time.

A modern interpretation for this story

A question to take with you

When I calculate a loss, whose circumstances am I overlooking?

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About the source and this adaptation

Bava Metzia 83a:10 recounts Rav's decision concerning porters who broke a wine barrel: their confiscated cloaks should be returned, and their wages should also be paid. Within the preceding ancient legal discussions of breakage, responsibility and evidence, the story considers people's circumstances too. The vase, community group, payment, repair-cost agreement, Jin, Ara, colleagues and dialogue are fictional. This story does not determine liability under modern law.

Read the source ↗

AI-generated artwork · Creative adaptation

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