In the משנה in בבא מציעא ב:ג there are three cases in the first part:
- Finding tied birds behind a fence (גפה)
- Finding tied birds behing a wall (גדר)
- Finding tied birds in the pathways in the field (שבילין שבשדות)
When the mishna lists them, it seems to specifically group the first two, and says the third one separately:
[translations are not meant to be precise]
מצא אחר הגפה או אחר הגדר גוזלות מקשרין, או בשבילין שבשדות, הרי זה לא יגע בהן
If one found behind a fence or behind a wall tied birds, or in the pathways in the field, he should not touch them.
It would seem more logical to be written as:
מצא אחר הגפה או אחר הגדר או בשבילין שבשדות גוזלות מקשרין, הרי זה לא יגע בהן
If one found behind a fence, behind a wall or in the pathways of the fields tied birds, he should not touch them.
Is there anyone who discusses whether there is some significance to this wording?
