Eruvin 31a

עירובין ל״א ע״א

Learn Eruvin 31a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Eruvin 31a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

An עירוב on a grave for a כהן, the dispute of רבי יהודה and the רבנן, and which foods may be used for an עירוב

Overview

The amud opens with רבי יהודה's view that a pure כהן may have an עירוב made of pure תרומה placed on a grave. The גמרא solves the practical problems one by one. The כהן travels inside a large wooden box. The food never received הכשר, so it cannot become impure. He picks it up with a flat wooden utensil, held sideways so it forms no אהל. Then the גמרא asks why the רבנן still forbid it, and answers that one may not acquire a שבת home with איסורי הנאה. It tries several ways to explain the dispute without making the rules of רבא (מצות לאו ליהנות ניתנו) or רב יוסף (an עירוב only for a מצוה) depend on one side of a מחלוקת תנאים. It ends by saying the argument is only about whether a person wants his עירוב food guarded after it has done its job. A new משנה then lists which foods may and may not be used for an עירוב. The גמרא explains that דמאי works through a מיגו: he could make himself poor, and a poor person may eat דמאי. Its proof from a משנה continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. StatementAn עירוב of pure תרומה may be placed on a grave for a pure כהן
2. QuestionHow does the כהן get to the grave?
3. ResponseHe travels inside a large wooden box
4. ChallengeWouldn't the תרומה itself become impure on the grave?
5. ResolutionThe food was never made able to become impure
6. QuestionHow does he pick up the food?
7. ResponseHe uses flat wooden utensils
8. ChallengeDoesn't the utensil form a covering over the grave?
9. ResolutionHe holds the utensil sideways
10. QuestionSo why do the רבנן forbid it?
11. ResponseNo acquiring a home with forbidden-benefit items
12. QuestionDoes רבי יהודה permit using forbidden items?
13. ResponseDoing a מצוה is not counted as benefit
14. ChallengeWould רבא's rule become just one side of a dispute?
15. ResolutionThe real dispute: is an עירוב only for a מצוה?
16. ChallengeWould רב יוסף's rule now become a dispute?
17. Resolutionרב יוסף's answer: the argument is about whether he wants the עירוב guarded
18. StatementNew משנה: foods that may be used for an עירוב
19. StatementThe משנה continues: foods that may not be used for an עירוב
20. ChallengeHow can דמאי work if he may not eat it?
21. ResolutionThe מיגו answer: he could make himself poor
22. ProofSource: poor people may be fed דמאי