AS asked:
We would think only by Gadish Chayeiv because large loss but thorns only small loss Patur. Quest: Doesn't the Torah value even small items of little value (Pachim Ktanim by Yaakov) so what was the Gmara Hava Amina? Thank you!!
AS, NY
The Kollel replies:
All the Mazikim are a Chidush, for the Mazik did not directly damage the item. Therefore, we may restrict the person's liability to watching the fire. If so, it is possible that although the Torah makes a person responsible to watch his fire, it is only in as much as it can cause a large damage. If the Torah has established the Chiyuv then of course there is no difference between a large Chiyuv and a small one.
D. Zupnik