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Eruvin 88b

עירובין פ״ח ע״ב

Learn Eruvin 88b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Pouring waste water on שבת: courtyard size, the seasons, pit capacity, and facing apartments

Overview

The משנה allows pouring water on שבת into a courtyard of four by four אמות, even though it may run out into רשות הרבים. A smaller courtyard needs an עוקה, a pit to catch the water. רבה says a big courtyard is worth sprinkling, while רבי זירא says a big courtyard absorbs the water. אביי shows that they differ over a long, narrow courtyard. The גמרא tests both views against the משנה and a ברייתא, and concludes that the whole משנה follows רבי אליעזר בן יעקב, for whom four אמות of space is what counts. Next the גמרא notes that חנניא forbids pouring even onto a huge roof, and a ברייתא says the limits apply only in summer. רבא and אביי explain why the rainy season is lenient, and רב נחמן sets rules for pit sizes in each season. Finally, רבא rules about two facing upper apartments even if they made an עירוב. אביי refutes that version with a ברייתא, so the גמרא begins a corrected version of רבא's words, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

פָּחוֹת מֵאַרְבַּע — שׁוֹפְכָן.

Less than four — he pours them out.

אִי דַּעֲבִיד עוּקָה — שְׁרֵי,

If he made a pit — it is permitted,

אִי לָא — אָסוּר.

if not — it is forbidden.

רַבִּי זֵירָא אָמַר:

Rabbi Zeira said:

The steps (31)

  1. Statementרבה's rule for a courtyard smaller than four cubits
  2. Statementרבי זירא's reason: absorption
  3. QuestionWhat is the practical difference?
  4. Responseאביי: a long and narrow courtyard
  5. ChallengeQuoting the משנה: courtyard and portico combine
  6. ChallengeThe משנה fits רבי זירא but is difficult for רבה
  7. Resolutionרבי זירא defends רבה: the portico runs along the whole courtyard
  8. ChallengeA ברייתא that fits רבה but challenges רבי זירא
  9. Resolutionרבי זירא: the ברייתא follows the רבנן, our משנה follows רבי אליעזר בן יעקב
  10. QuestionWhy did רבי זירא need to assign the משנה to רבי אליעזר בן יעקב?
  11. Responseרבא: the משנה's word 'less than' pointed to area
  12. ConclusionSo the opening of the משנה follows רבי אליעזר בן יעקב
  13. ChallengeBut the end of the משנה names him, so the beginning must be someone else
  14. ResolutionThe whole משנה is his, and some words are missing
  15. StatementQuoting רבי אליעזר בן יעקב on the arched drain
  16. StatementOur משנה does not follow חנניא
  17. StatementThe restrictions apply only in summer
  18. QuestionWhy is the rainy season different?
  19. Responseרבא: in winter he is fine with the water soaking in where it is
  20. Challengeאביי: waste water is also wanted to soak in, yet it is forbidden
  21. Resolutionרבא: in winter neither concern applies
  22. Statementרב נחמן sets pit-size rules for rainy season and summer
  23. ChallengeWhy not allow one סאה in a one-סאה pit in summer too
  24. ResolutionA גזירה in case he pours two סאה
  25. ChallengeThen make the same decree in the rainy season
  26. ResolutionIn the rainy season there is nothing to worry about
  27. Conclusionאביי: in the rainy season, even huge amounts are allowed
  28. StatementTwo facing upper apartments and רבא's ruling about an עירוב
  29. Challengeאביי asks for the reason and suggests one
  30. ChallengeA ברייתא shows the amount of water does not matter
  31. Rejectionרבא's statement must be restated