Eruvin

for what we learned [in respect of height1 refers to the] interior2 of the sukkah and to the empty space2 of the entrance.3 Said R. Papa to Raba: A Baraitha was taught which provides support for your view: ‘[A cross-beam over] an entrance [to a blind alley] that is higher than twenty cubits [and is thus] higher than the entrance to the Hekal4 should be lowered’. Now in the Hekal itself5 the [height of the] hollow space of [the entrance thereto] was twenty cubits. R. Shimi b. Ashi raised an objection against R. Papa: ‘How does one construct [the prescribed entrance]? One places the cross-beam, below the limit of twenty [cubits of its altitude]’.6 Read: ‘Above’.7 But surely it is stated: ‘below’? — It was this that we are informed:8 That the lowest9 [permitted altitude is to be measured on the same principle] as the highest. As in the case of the highest [altitude permitted] the hollow space [of the entrance must not exceed] twenty cubits, so also in the case of the lowest [altitude permitted], the hollow space [of the entrance must not be lower than] ten cubits.10 Abaye stated in the name of R. Nahman: The cubit [applicable to the measurements] of a sukkah and that applicable to11 an ‘entrance’ is one of five [handbreadths]. The cubit [applicable to the laws] of kil'ayim12 is one of six [handbreadths].13 In respect of what legal [restriction has it been ruled that] the cubit [applicable to the measurements] of an entrance is [only] one of five?14 [If it be suggested] in respect of its height15 and [of the size of] a breach in the alley,16 surely [it could be retorted] is there [not also the law on] the depth of an alley, that17 [must be no less than] four cubits,18 in which case [the adoption of the smaller cubit results in] a relaxation [of the law]?19 — [He20 holds the same view] as does he21 who limits the depth22 to four handbreadths.23 If you prefer24 I might reply [that the depth of an alley must indeed be] four cubits, but he25 spoke of the majority of cubit measurements.26 In respect of what legal [restriction has R. Nahman ruled that] the cubit [applicable to the measurements] of a sukkah is one of five?27 [If it be suggested,] in respect of its height28 and [the permitted size of] a crooked wall,29 surely [it might be objected is there [not also the law requiring] the area of the sukkah [to be four cubits] by four cubits, in which case [the adoption of the smaller cubit results in] a relaxation [of the law]?30 For was it not taught: Rabbi31 said: ‘I maintain that any sukkah which does not contain [an area of] four cubits by four cubits is legally unfit’?32 [R. Nahman is of the same opinion] as the Rabbis who ruled [that a sukkah is valid] even if it accommodates no more than one's head, the greater part of one's body and a table.33 And if you prefer I might reply: It34 may, in fact, [be in agreement with the view of] Rabbi,31 but he35 spoke of the majority of cubit measurements.36 In respect of what legal [restrictions has R. Nahman ruled that] ‘the cubit [applicable to the laws] of kil'ayim is one of six’? — In respect of a patch37 in a vineyard and the [uncultivated] border38 of a vineyard; for we have learnt: [Each side of] a patch39 in a vineyard, Beth Shammai ruled, must measure no less than twenty-four cubits,40 and Beth Hillel ruled: Sixteen cubits; and [the width of] an [uncultivated] border38 of a vineyard, Beth Shammai ruled, [must] measure no less than sixteen cubits,40 and Beth Hillel ruled: Twelve cubits. What is meant by a patch in a vineyard? The barren portion of the interior of the vineyard.41 [If its sides] do not measure42 sixteen cubits, no seed may be sown43 there, but if they do measure44 sixteen cubits, sufficient space for the tillage of the vineyard45 is allowed and the remaining space may be sown. And what is meant by the border of a vineyard? [The space] between the [actual] vineyard46 and the surrounding fence. [If the width] is less than42 twelve cubits no seed may be sown43 there, but if it measures44 twelve cubits, sufficient space for the tillage of the vineyard45 is allowed and the remaining area may be sown.47 But, surely, there is [the case of vines planted] closely within four cubits [distance from one another] where [the adoption of the higher standard48 would result] in a relaxation [of the law]?49 For have we not learnt:50 A vineyard [the rows of which are] planted at [distances of] less than four cubits [from one another] is not regarded, R. Simeon ruled, as a proper vineyard,51 and the Sages ruled, [It is regarded as] a proper vineyard, the intervening vines52 being treated as if they were non-existent?53 — [R. Nahman is of the same opinion] as the Rabbis who ruled that [whatever the distances the plantation] constitutes a proper vineyard.54 If you prefer I might reply: [He55 may,] in fact, [hold the view of] R. Simeon, but56 he was referring to the majority of cubit measurements.57 Raba, however,58 stated in the name of R. Nahman: All cubits [prescribed for legal measurements are] of59 the size of six [handbreadths], but the latter60 are expanded61 while the former62 are compact.63 An objection was raised: All cubits of which the Sages spoke are of the standard64 of six [handbreadths] except an entrance includes also the cross-beam. twenty cubits in height, but to one of ten cubits only, the entire passage being in the nature of an elliptical note. Sabbath are invalid on the side of rigor; v. infra 5a. Joseph's view (cf. Supra n. 15). handbreadths. sukkah may nevertheless be valid if that portion is adjacent to any of its walls and terminates within a distance of four cubits from that wall. That portion of the roof together with the wall it adjoins are regarded as one crooked wall; and the space under the remainder of the roof, consisting of suitable materials, may be used as a proper sukkah. (V. Suk. 17a). In both suggested cases, the cubit of the lower standard is on the side of rigor. may well maintain, the cubit applicable is the one of the higher standard on the side of rigor. among vines. vineyard in which, in accordance with the laws of kil'ayim, no kind of grain may be sown. Now, since it is the existence of distances of four cubits between the rows of vines that determines whether a group of vines may be regarded as a vineyard in the legal sense, it follows that if the lower standard of the cubit is adopted distances of no more than (5 X 4) twenty handbreadths between the rows would subject the vineyard to the laws of kil'ayim, while if the higher standard is adopted, so that distances of (6 X 4 =) twenty-four handbreadths are required, the same plantation would constitute no proper vineyard and the plantation would thus be exempt from the laws of kil'ayim. side of rigor. of a laughing person (Aruk); ‘wide spread’ (Jast.). (Aruk); ‘pressed together’ (Jast.).