Eruvin 91b

עירובין צ״א ע״ב

Learn Eruvin 91b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Eruvin 91b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Testing the מחלוקת of רב and שמואל about רבי שמעון's one-domain rule against two ברייתות, and whether a ברייתא supports רבי זירא in the name of רב about an alley without שיתוף.

Overview

On the previous amud, רב and שמואל argued about רבי שמעון's rule that roofs, courtyards and enclosures count as one domain for objects that were there when שבת began. רב says this applies only when no one made an עירוב. שמואל says it applies even when each group made its own עירוב. The גמרא first brings a ברייתא about courtyard people and balcony people that seems to support רב. It answers that this ברייתא follows the רבנן, and proves it because the list leaves out קרפף and מבוי. Next comes a ברייתא about five courtyards open to an alley, where רבי שמעון says all six areas are one domain 'when they did not make an עירוב.' The גמרא defends שמואל in two ways. First, 'did not make an עירוב' really means they made no שיתוף for the alley. Second, רבי שמעון was only arguing on the רבנן's own terms. The גמרא then checks whether the line 'in the alley it is forbidden' supports רבי זירא in the name of רב. It rereads the line as 'into the alley' and explains why that clause is not redundant. The amud ends as רבינא begins a question to רב אשי, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (19)

1. ProofA ברייתא about courtyard residents and balcony residents
2. StatementWhen the separation rule applies
3. StatementNo עירוב at all: everything is one domain
4. ChallengeInference: with separate עירובין, carrying is forbidden
5. ResolutionThe ברייתא follows the רבנן, not רבי שמעון
6. ProofThe wording confirms it: no enclosure or alleyway
7. StatementA new ברייתא: five courtyards open to an alley, and no עירוב
8. Statementרבי שמעון permits: all six areas are one domain
9. ChallengeInference: the leniency works only when no עירוב was made
10. ResolutionAnswer: the courtyards simply did not join with each other
11. ChallengePushback: the ברייתא plainly says they made no עירוב
12. ResolutionFinal answer: 'did not make an עירוב' means they made no שיתוף
13. Resolutionרבי שמעון was arguing on the רבנן's terms
14. StatementThe רבנן reply that the areas are two domains
15. ProofDoes 'in the alley it is prohibited' support רב?
16. RejectionRead it as 'into the alley' instead
17. ChallengeThat repeats the first clause
18. ResolutionThe repetition teaches that the רבנן argue even without an עירוב
19. Questionרבינא turns to רב אשי