Eruvin 38a

עירובין ל״ח ע״א

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Topic

The end of the טבל wine debate, and the מחלוקת between רבי אליעזר and the חכמים about עירובי תחומין when יום טוב is next to שבת: one holiness or two?

Overview

This amud finishes one discussion and starts another. First, the חכמים ask רבי מאיר what happens if the wine flask bursts before תרומה is separated, and he answers that he will deal with it if it happens. Then a new משנה begins about עירובי תחומין when יום טוב falls right next to שבת. רבי אליעזר says each day may have its own עירוב, even in opposite directions, or an עירוב for only one day. The חכמים say it must be one direction for both days, or no עירוב at all, and the משנה explains how one עירוב can serve both nights. The גמרא shows that the debate turns on one question: are the two days one holiness or two? Each side points to rulings the other side accepts. The חכמים answer that they are unsure, so they are strict both ways, and רבי אליעזר answers that the ban on making an עירוב on יום טוב for שבת comes from הכנה. Finally, a ברייתא brings רבי's ruling that each day needs its own working עירוב, and רבי יהודה's opposing view begins and continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (19)

1. ChallengeThe חכמים challenge רבי מאיר: what if the flask bursts?
2. Resolutionרבי מאיר answers: we will deal with it when it bursts
3. Statementרבי אליעזר: two separate עירובין for יום טוב next to שבת
4. Statementרבי אליעזר: an עירוב for one day only
5. StatementThe חכמים: one direction for both days, or nothing
6. QuestionHow is a single עירוב used for both days?
7. ResponseThe method: bring it, wait for nightfall, take it home, repeat
8. ConclusionThe double benefit: walking and eating
9. StatementIf the עירוב was eaten on the first day
10. Challengeרבי אליעזר: you agree they are two separate holinesses
11. ChallengeThe גמרא asks why the Sages' words repeat themselves
12. ResolutionThe phrase is really a question the חכמים put to רבי אליעזר
13. ProofJust as one day cannot be split, two days in a row cannot be split
14. Rejectionרבי אליעזר rejects the comparison: one day versus two days
15. Proofרבי אליעזר proves the days are separate from the חכמים' own rulings
16. ResolutionThe חכמים are unsure, so they are strict both ways
17. ProofThe חכמים counter: no making an עירוב on יום טוב for שבת
18. Rejectionרבי אליעזר says that rule comes from the ban on preparing
19. StatementA ברייתא: a new עירוב is needed for the second day