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Eruvin 77b

עירובין ע״ז ע״ב

Learn Eruvin 77b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Objects that reduce (ממעט) the height of a wall between two courtyards: a buried ספל, Egyptian and Tyrian ladders, paired ladders, stacked platforms, and ladders with separate rungs

Overview

This עמוד deals with objects placed against a ten-טפחים wall between two courtyards that can 'reduce' (ממעט) its height, so the wall counts as an opening. It opens by finishing a ברייתא about buried turnips, which may be pulled out on שבת. The גמרא uses it to challenge רבי יחיאל's ruling that a buried basin reduces the wall. It answers that he meant a basin so stuck that only a hoe or spade could remove it. Next comes a teaching that a small Egyptian ladder (fewer than four rungs) does not reduce the wall, but a Tyrian ladder does. רב אשי explains with a rule from רב: anything that may be moved on שבת does not reduce a wall. The גמרא asks why the Tyrian ladder still counts and answers that its heaviness fixes it in place (כובדו קובעו). Then אביי, רב ביבי בר אביי, and רב נחמן in the name of רבה בר אבוה rule on two ladders on opposite sides of a wall, stacked platforms, and a ladder with separate rungs, using the rules of a four-טפחים surface and לבוד (a gap under three טפחים counts as closed). A further ruling from רב נחמן begins at the end and continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

שֶׁמִּקְצָת עָלִין מְגוּלִּין

that some of the leaves are showing

אֵינוֹ חוֹשֵׁשׁ לֹא מִשּׁוּם כִּלְאַיִם,

he need not be concerned about diverse kinds,

וְלֹא מִשּׁוּם מַעֲשֵׂר,

nor about tithes,

וְלֹא מִשּׁוּם שְׁבִיעִית,

nor about the Sabbatical Year,

The steps (14)

  1. ChallengeEnd of the turnip-and-radish challenge
  2. ResolutionThe basin needs a hoe or spade to remove
  3. StatementEgyptian ladder versus Tyrian ladder
  4. QuestionWhat counts as an Egyptian ladder?
  5. ResponseFewer than four rungs
  6. QuestionWhy doesn't the Egyptian ladder reduce the wall?
  7. ResponseAnything movable on שבת does not reduce the wall
  8. ChallengeIf movable things don't count, a Tyrian ladder should not count either
  9. ResolutionThe Tyrian ladder's weight fixes it in place
  10. StatementTwo ladders on opposite sides of the wall
  11. StatementA thick wall removes the distance limit
  12. StatementOne platform built on top of another
  13. StatementA ladder with disconnected rungs lowers the wall
  14. StatementIntroducing another ruling from the same speakers