Eruvin 81a

עירובין פ״א ע״א

Learn Eruvin 81a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Which foods and loaves are valid for an עירוב: broken loaves, missing portions, and other kinds of bread. A new משנה then asks whether money acquires a share in the עירוב.

Overview

The גמרא asks why our משנה repeats the rule 'בכל מערבין', which an earlier משנה already taught. רבה says it rejects רבי יהושע's view that only bread works. אביי disproves this from a ברייתא, so רבה בר בר חנה says it rejects רבי יהושע's rule that a broken loaf (פרוסה) is invalid. The reason for that rule is איבה, hard feelings between neighbors, and רב אשי says it applies even when everyone gives broken pieces. The גמרא then sets the limits: a loaf missing only a baker's small חלה portion counts as whole, and so does a loaf joined with a wood chip if the seam cannot be seen. Next come rulings on rice, millet and lentil bread, along with a side discussion of the bread of יחזקאל. Finally a new משנה brings a dispute: רבי אליעזר says paying a coin to a shopkeeper acquires a share in the עירוב, and the חכמים say money alone does not acquire.

Opening lines

The steps (26)

1. ChallengeWhy repeat a rule we already learned?
2. Resolutionרבה: the repetition rejects the view that only bread works
3. Challengeאביי: a ברייתא says 'בכל' yet still follows רבי יהושע
4. Resolutionרבה בר בר חנה: the repetition allows a broken loaf
5. QuestionWhy is a broken loaf not allowed?
6. ResponseThe reason is to avoid bad feelings
7. QuestionWhat if everyone used broken pieces?
8. ResponseStill not allowed, because the problem may return
9. StatementA loaf missing a small standard amount still counts as whole
10. ChallengeA ברייתא allows only the דימוע amount, not the חלה amount
11. ResolutionTwo Different Sizes of חלה
12. Proofמשנה Source for the Two חלה Amounts
13. StatementA Broken Loaf Joined With a Wood Chip
14. ChallengeA ברייתא Forbids the Joined Loaf
15. ResolutionVisible Seam Versus Hidden Seam
16. Statementשמואל Allows Rice and Millet Bread
17. Statementמר עוקבא Corrects the Report About Millet
18. StatementLentil bread may be used for an עירוב
19. ChallengeEven a dog would not eat lentil bread
20. ResolutionThat bread was made from a mix of grains
21. Resolutionיחזקאל's bread was disgusting because it was baked in excrement
22. QuestionWhat does 'barley cakes' mean in the verse?
23. ResponseEat it in small measures
24. ResponsePrepare it like barley bread, not wheat bread
25. Statementרבי אליעזר allows paying a shopkeeper to include you in the עירוב
26. StatementThe חכמים rule that money alone does not acquire the עירוב