Eruvin 7a

עירובין ז׳ ע״א

Learn Eruvin 7a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Eruvin 7a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Following the stringencies of two opinions, and how to fix an alley that is open at both ends

Overview

The גמרא finishes explaining a ברייתא that says the הלכה follows בית הלל, yet lets a person act like בית שמאי. It then rules out taking the leniencies of both sides, or the stringencies of both sides. The alleyway in נהרדעא, which was treated with the stringencies of both רב and שמואל, still seems to break that rule. רב נחמן בר יצחק answers that everything there followed רב, who held 'הלכה ואין מורין כן'. When another version of רב's words undoes that answer, רב שיזבי limits the rule: we avoid two stringencies only when they contradict each other, like the spine in טומאה and in טריפה. A challenge from רבי עקיבא's two tithes is answered: he was strict both ways because he was in doubt. Then the גמרא returns to the מבוי מפולש. רב defines when the dispute applies (main street or plaza on both sides) and when a lighter fix is enough (a valley on one or both sides). A final ruling says an alley ending in an enclosed yard needs nothing at that end, and אביי identifies that ruling as שמואל's.

Opening lines

The steps (18)

1. ResolutionThe clause allowing one to follow בית שמאי reflects רבי יהושע, who ignores a בת קול
2. ResolutionAnother reading: do not mix and match leniencies or stringencies
3. ChallengeEither way, the נהרדעא alleyway is still a problem
4. Resolutionרב נחמן בר יצחק: they followed רב entirely
5. Proofרב's rule: it is the הלכה, but we do not teach it publicly
6. ChallengeThe other version of רב's ruling brings the problem back
7. ResolutionThe rule only applies when the two stringencies contradict
8. ProofExample: the spine and skull of a dead body
9. StatementThe same argument applies to טריפה, which creates the contradiction
10. ResolutionTwo stringencies that do not clash are allowed
11. ChallengeChallenge from רבי עקיבא's two tithes
12. Resolutionרבי עקיבא was in doubt, not combining opinions
13. Statementרב defines the case of the open-alley dispute
14. StatementWhen a valley is on one or both sides, a lighter fix is enough
15. ChallengeWhy say the obvious case of valleys on both sides?
16. ResolutionMain street plus valley counts as valleys on both sides
17. StatementAn alley ending in an enclosed yard needs nothing at that end
18. Statementאביי identifies the ruling as שמואל's