The One Who Makes a Claim Must Bring the Proof

"Whoever has a cause to plead, let him approach them." Rabbi Samuel bar Nachman said, Rabbi Jonathan said: from where do we learn that one who would extract a claim from his fellow bears the burden of proof? As it is said, "Whoever has a cause to plead, let him approach them", let him bring his proof to them. But why do I need a verse for this? It is a matter of plain reasoning: he whose pain pains him goes to the physician. Rather, the verse is needed for the teaching of Rav Nachman. For Rav Nachman said in the name of Rabbah bar Abuha: from where do we learn that the court attends to the plaintiff first? As it is said, "Whoever has a cause to plead, let him approach them", let him present his words to them. The scholars of Nehardea said in the name of Rav Nachman: there are times when the court attends to the defendant first, in a case where his property would otherwise lose value.