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Eruvin 98b

עירובין צ״ח ע״ב

Learn Eruvin 98b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Resting (הנחה) for a fallen scroll, using a ledge in front of a window, and acting across domains on שבת

Overview

The amud opens by finishing an answer about a scroll that rolled off a roof. On a straight wall, the scroll is treated as resting on the ground once it is within three טפחים, and רבי יהודה disagrees because he requires real הנחה. The גמרא objects that this would make רבא's rule, that the רבנן also require real הנחה within three טפחים, fit only one side of a dispute. So it rereads the whole משנה as רבי יהודה with missing words: one turns the scroll over only on a sloping wall, where it truly rests, and on a straight wall one may always roll it back. A new משנה permits using a ledge in front of a window on שבת. אביי explains that the ledge sticks out over a רשות הרבים and the משנה means breakable objects, and a ברייתא supports him. The same ברייתא allows using an upper ledge only opposite the window. אביי explains that the windowsill fills that ledge out to four טפחים there. Another משנה allows moving objects in another domain without carrying them more than four אמות, but forbids urinating or spitting from one domain into another. The amud ends with רב objecting to a version of that משנה which forbids the first case, because it follows רבי מאיר instead of the רבנן.

Opening lines

בְּכוֹתֶל שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְשׁוּפָּע,

With a wall that is not sloping,

לְמַעְלָה מִשְּׁלֹשָׁה — גּוֹלְלוֹ אֶצְלוֹ,

above three handbreadths, he rolls it back to himself;

לְמַטָּה מִשְּׁלֹשָׁה — הוֹפְכוֹ עַל הַכְּתָב.

below three handbreadths, he turns it over onto the writing.

רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר

Rabbi Yehuda says

The steps (17)

  1. ResolutionThe straight-wall case: above or below three טפחים
  2. StatementWhy רבי יהודה disagrees: real resting is required
  3. ChallengeChallenge from רבא: the רבנן also require real resting
  4. ResolutionNew reading: the whole משנה is רבי יהודה, with missing words
  5. ResponseWhy the scroll may be rolled back on a straight wall, even under three טפחים
  6. StatementNew משנה: using a ledge in front of a window
  7. ChallengeWhere does the ledge stick out to? Both options seem wrong
  8. Resolutionאביי: the ledge is over the public domain, and the objects are breakable
  9. ProofA ברייתא backs up אביי: only fragile dishes are listed
  10. StatementThe ברייתא continues: using the whole wall, and the rule of two ledges
  11. ChallengeHow wide is the upper ledge? Either way the rule seems wrong
  12. Resolutionאביי: the windowsill fills out the upper ledge to four
  13. StatementMoving objects in another domain while standing outside it
  14. StatementNo urinating or spitting from one domain into another
  15. Statementרבי יהודה on spit gathered in the mouth
  16. StatementA reversed version of the משנה's opening line
  17. Challengeרב objects that this version follows רבי מאיר