Eruvin 104a

עירובין ק״ד ע״א

Learn Eruvin 104a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Eruvin 104a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The size of a חציצה, salt and water-drawing in the מקדש on שבת, and whether making sound is forbidden on שבת

Overview

The amud opens by finishing the discussion of a כהן who wraps a hurt finger. A piece of cloth 3 by 3 fingerbreadths counts as a חציצה, but a small צלצול counts even when smaller because it is significant. According to רבי יוחנן, the משנה mentioned גמי in order to teach in passing that גמי heals. A new משנה then permits scattering salt on the ramp of the מזבח on שבת, and drawing water with a wheel from cisterns in the מקדש. The גמרא shows that salt differs from straw spread in a muddy courtyard, and works out how salt on the ramp avoids two problems: adding to the building and creating a חציצה. רבא publicly retracts a ruling about straw and teaches that it may be spread only with the bottom of a broken basket. The water wheel leads to a debate about making sound on שבת. עולא forbids even knocking, while רבה forbids only musical sound. Every source brought against רבה is explained another way, and the wheel is banned only in case a person waters his garden. אמימר therefore permitted the wheel in מחוזא, but the story begins to turn as the amud ends.

Opening lines

The steps (32)

1. StatementThe size rule: three by three fingerbreadths blocks, smaller does not
2. ChallengeDoes this size rule argue with רב יהודה בריה דרבי חייא?
3. ResolutionA small sash is different because it is significant
4. ChallengeAccording to רבי יוחנן, why didn't the משנה mention a small sash?
5. ResolutionThe משנה teaches an extra lesson along the way: a reed heals
6. StatementNew משנה: salt on the ramp and drawing water in the Temple
7. ChallengeContradiction: salt only in the Temple, yet straw allowed anywhere
8. ResolutionStraw is different because it is not left there
9. ChallengeWhat kind of salt? If it becomes part of the ramp, it adds to the building
10. ChallengeThe other side of the dilemma: salt that blocks the feet
11. ResolutionThe salt is used while carrying limbs, which is not a service
12. ChallengeCarrying the limbs is a service, based on a verse
13. ResolutionChange the example: carrying wood to the altar fire
14. StatementSpreading straw in a rain-damaged courtyard
15. ChallengeA ברייתא says the straw must be spread in an unusual way
16. Conclusionרבא publicly admits his mistake about the straw
17. StatementQuoting the משנה about drawing water from the Cistern of the Exiles
18. Statementעולא curses a man who knocks on the door on שבת
19. Rejectionרבה says only musical sounds are forbidden
20. Challengeאביי brings a ברייתא about siphoning and dripping water for a sick person
21. ChallengeProving from the ברייתא that any made sound is forbidden
22. ResolutionThe dripping water is meant to put the sick person to sleep
23. Challengeאביי challenges again from guarding crops
24. ChallengeSpelling out why clapping would be forbidden
25. ResolutionThe ban is a safeguard against picking up a pebble
26. ChallengeNew challenge: women playing with nuts
27. ResolutionNuts are banned because players might level holes, not because of noise
28. ProofProof from apples, which make no sound
29. ChallengeChallenge from the משנה about the water wheel
30. ResolutionThe wheel is banned so a person will not water his garden
31. Statementאמימר permits the water wheel in מחוזא
32. Statementאמימר sees something that changes the picture