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Eruvin 95b

עירובין צ״ה ע״ב

Learn Eruvin 95b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Rescuing תפילין found in a field on שבת: the end of the משנה, why one pair (רבי מאיר) or two pairs (רבן גמליאל), and two explanations of the dispute.

Overview

This amud finishes the משנה about someone who finds תפילין in a field on שבת. If staying is dangerous, he covers them and leaves. רבי שמעון allows a human chain of people, each carrying less than four אמות. The same applies to a baby born in the field. The חכמים reject רבי יהודה's idea that a chain can take a barrel past the תחום. The גמרא asks whether the one-pair limit goes against רבי מאיר. רבא answers that rescue follows normal weekday wearing: many garments, but only one pair of תפילין. The גמרא then explains רבן גמליאל's two pairs. שבת is not a time for תפילין, they must be worn in their proper place, and both the head and the arm have room for two. Finally, the גמרא gives two ways to explain the dispute: whether שבת is a time for תפילין, or whether מצוות צריכות כוונה.

Opening lines

וּבַסַּכָּנָה —

And in a time of danger —

מְכַסָּן וְהוֹלֵךְ לוֹ.

he covers them and goes on his way.

רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר:

Rabbi Shimon says:

נוֹתְנָן לַחֲבֵירוֹ,

He gives them to his friend,

The steps (29)

  1. StatementIn danger, he covers the תפילין and leaves
  2. Statementרבי שמעון's human chain for the תפילין
  3. StatementThe same chain method for a baby born in the field
  4. Statementרבי יהודה lets a barrel go past the תחום
  5. RejectionThe חכמים reject רבי יהודה: an object goes no farther than its owner
  6. StatementThe גמרא reads the משנה: only one pair at a time
  7. QuestionDoes this unattributed משנה go against רבי מאיר?
  8. Proofרבי מאיר lets a person wear many garments to save them
  9. QuestionHow do we know the fire ruling is רבי מאיר's?
  10. ResponseThe continuation of the fire teaching names רבי מאיר
  11. Resolutionרבא: in both cases the rule follows normal weekday wearing
  12. ConclusionMany garments are normal, but only one pair of תפילין
  13. QuestionWhat is רבן גמליאל's reasoning for two pairs?
  14. ChallengeIf שבת is a time for תפילין, only one pair should be allowed
  15. ChallengeIf שבת is not a time for תפילין, even more than two should be allowed
  16. ResolutionNot a time for תפילין, but they must be worn in their proper place
  17. ChallengeThen only one pair should fit
  18. ResolutionThe head has room for two תפילין
  19. ChallengeThe head has room, but what about the arm?
  20. ResolutionAnswer from רב הונא: tefillin may be moved to the arm
  21. Rejectionרב הונא was only preventing disrespect
  22. ConclusionThe arm, like the head, has room for two
  23. StatementThe exact places for תפילין on the arm and head
  24. QuestionWhere exactly on the crown of the head?
  25. ResponseThe soft spot of a baby's head
  26. QuestionIs the dispute in the משנה about room for two pairs?
  27. RejectionEveryone agrees there is room; the dispute is whether שבת is a time for תפילין
  28. ResolutionA different explanation: the argument is about intent for מצוות
  29. ResolutionEach side's view on intent