Study Bava Batra folio 124B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
מספקא ליה אי הלכה כרבי מחבירו – ולא מחביריו; או הלכה כרבי מחבירו – ואפילו מחביריו.
The Talmud explains: R' Ḥiyya is uncertain as to whether the principle that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda HaNasi in his disputes with his colleague applies specifically to a dispute with one other tanna but not to a dispute with several of his colleagues, or whether the principle that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda HaNasi in his disputes with his colleague applies even to a dispute with several of his colleagues, as in this case, where the Rabbis disagree with R' Yehuda HaNasi. Since he was uncertain, he left the decision to each individual judge.
אמר רב נחמן אמר רב: אסור לעשות כדברי רבי. קא סבר: הלכה כרבי מחבירו – ולא מחביריו.
Rav Naḥman says that Rav says: It is prohibited to act in accordance with the statement of R' Yehuda HaNasi. The Talmud explains: Rav holds that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda HaNasi in his disputes with his single colleague, but not in his disputes with several of his colleagues.
ורב נחמן דידיה אמר: מותר לעשות כדברי רבי. קא סבר: הלכה כרבי מחבירו – ואפילו מחביריו.
And Rav Naḥman says his own statement: It is permitted to act in accordance with the statement of R' Yehuda HaNasi. The Talmud explains: He holds that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda HaNasi not only in his disputes with his single colleague, but even in his disputes with several of his colleagues.
אמר רבא: אסור לעשות כדברי רבי, ואם עשה – עשוי. קא סבר: מטין איתמר.
Rava says: It is prohibited to act in accordance with the statement of R' Yehuda HaNasi, but if a judge acted in accordance with the statement of R' Yehuda HaNasi, what is done is done and the decision stands. The Talmud explains: He holds that it was stated that one is inclined to follow the opinion of the Rabbis ab initio, but if a judge rules in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda HaNasi, his decision stands.