Parallel
עירובין 57:1
Soncino English Talmud · Berean Standard Bible
Deducting [for the open space] four [million square cubits] from the limits and four [million square cubits] from the corners, to what area would this space amount? To one of eight million square cubits. But is not such an open space a third of the area? — Do you think that the reference is to a square town? No, a circular town was spoken of. For by how much does the area of a square exceed that of a circle? By one quarter approximately. Deduct a quarter from the measurements given and there would remain six [million square cubits]; and six [million] represent a quarter of twenty-four [million]. Rabina explained: What is meant by ‘a quarter’? A quarter of the area of the limits. R. Ashi explained: What is meant by ‘a quarter’? A quarter of the area of the corners. Said Rabina to R. Ashi: Is it not written in Scripture: ‘round about’? — By ‘round about’ the corners were meant — For, if you were not to admit this, would you also contend that the expression. And dash the blood round about against the altar, written in connection with a burnt-offering, also meant round about the very altar? Consequently you must admit that by ‘round about’ was meant round about the corners; well then, here also by ‘round about’ was meant round about the corners. Said R. Habibi of Hoza'ah to R. Ashi: Are there not, however, the projections of the corners? — The reference is to a circular city. Was it not, however, made square? — You might contend that it was said that we imagine it to be a square but can you contend that it was actually made square? Said R. Hanilai of Hoza'ah to R. Ashi: Consider! By how much does the area of a square exceed that of a circle? By a quarter approximately. Are not then the so called ‘eight hundred’ only six hundred and sixty-seven minus a third? — The other replied: This applies only to a circle inscribed within a square, but in the case of the diagonal — of a square more must be added; for a Master stated: Every cubit in the side of a square corresponds to one and two fifths of a cubit in its diagonal. MISHNAH. A KARPAF IS ALLOWED FOR EVERY TOWN; SO R. MEIR, BUT THE SAGES RULED: [THE LAW OF] KARPAF WAS INSTITUTED ONLY BETWEEN TWO TOWNS SO THAT BY ADDING TO EACH ONE A STRETCH OF LAND OF SEVENTY AND A FRACTION THE KARPAF COMBINES THE TWO TOWNS INTO ONE. SO ALSO WHERE THREE VILLAGES ARE ARRANGED IN THE SHAPE OF A TRIANGLE, IF BETWEEN THE TWO OUTER ONES THERE WAS A DISTANCE OF A HUNDRED AND FORTY-ONE AND A THIRD CUBITS, THE MIDDLE ONE CAUSES ALL THE THREE OF THEM TO BE REGARDED AS ONE. GEMARA. Whence is this inferred? — Raba replied: From Scripture which says: From the wall of the city and outward, the Torah having thereby enjoined: Allow an outward area, and then begin your measuring. BUT THE SAGES RULED . . . WAS INSTITUTED ONLY etc. It was stated: R. Huna laid down: A karpaf is allowed for each town. Hiyya b. Rab laid down: Only one karpaf is allowed for both towns. We learned: BUT THE SAGES RULED: [THE LAW OF] KARPAF WAS INSTITUTED ONLY BETWEEN TWO TOWNS. Is not this an objection against R. Huna? — R. Huna can answer you: What is meant by ‘KARPAF’? The law of karpaf, but in fact a karpaf is allowed for each town. This may also be supported by reason, since in the final clause it was stated: SO THAT BY ADDING TO EACH ONE A STRETCH OF LAND OF SEVENTY AND A FRACTION CUBITS THE KARPAF COMBINES THE TWO TOWNS INTO ONE. This is conclusive. Must it be said that this presents an objection against Hiyya b. Rab? — Hiyya b. Rab can answer you:
—