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Eruvin 50b

עירובין נ׳ ע״ב

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Topic

Setting a שביתה under a tree without naming an exact spot: the size limits, the רב–שמואל dispute with a ברייתא on each side, and naming the trunk instead

Overview

The amud opens by finishing the dispute about a תודה brought with eighty loaves: one view holds he meant one large offering, so nothing becomes holy. The גמרא then returns to רב's ruling that saying 'my שביתה is under this tree' is not enough. אביי limits that ruling to a tree with twelve אמות beneath it. רב הונא בריה דרב יהושע objects that the person might have picked an end section, so he sets the line at eight אמות; at seven or less, every possible four-אמה section shares the center cubit. Next the גמרא brings a ברייתא supporting רב: a traveler who did not mark out his four אמות may not move from his place. שמואל answers by setting that ברייתא in a case where the tree is 2004 אמות away, so the far side is outside his תחום. A second ברייתא supports שמואל: a man with עירובין to the north and to the south is limited by both. The גמרא answers that רב is not refuted, because רב תנא הוא ופליג. Finally the גמרא quotes the משנה's next case: one who sets his שביתה at the tree's trunk may walk 4000 אמות after dark.

Opening lines

וּמָר סָבַר:

And the other Sage holds:

לְקׇרְבָּן גָּדוֹל קָא מְכַוֵּין.

he intends a large offering.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא

Abaye said: They only taught this

בְּאִילָן שֶׁתַּחְתָּיו שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה,

about a tree that has twelve cubits beneath it,

The steps (16)

  1. StatementThe other opinion: he meant one big offering
  2. Statementאביי limits רב's ruling to a tree covering twelve cubits
  3. ChallengeWho says he chose the middle four cubits?
  4. Resolutionרב הונא's correction: the line is eight cubits, not twelve
  5. StatementEach side has a supporting ברייתא
  6. ProofThe ברייתא supporting רב: a tree accomplishes nothing, a named place works
  7. ProofWhat counts as a clearly defined place
  8. ProofA traveler who does not know the area can rely on one who does
  9. ProofWithout marking out his four אמות, he may not move
  10. ChallengeDoes this ברייתא disprove שמואל?
  11. Resolutionשמואל: the tree is 2004 אמות away
  12. ProofA ברייתא about two עירובין supports שמואל
  13. ProofSqueezed in the middle, he may not move
  14. ChallengeIs this a refutation of רב?
  15. Resolutionרב is like a תנא and may disagree
  16. StatementBack to the משנה: 'My שביתה is at its trunk' gives 4000 אמות