Eruvin

that [their measurements must] not be exactly alike.1 Now according to Raba this2 is intelligible [since the measuring must be done in such a manner] as to have [the handbreadths] in the latter case expanded and the former case compact; but according to Abaye3 [does not this4 present] a difficulty? — Abaye can answer you: ‘The cubit [spoken of in respect] of kil'ayim is of the length of six [handbreadths]’.5 But since it was stated in the final clause, ‘R. Simeon b. Gamaliel ruled: All cubits of which the Sages spoke in relation to kil'ayim are of the standard of six [handbreadths] except that these must not be compact’, does it not follow that the first Tanna6 referred to all cubits?7 — Abaye can answer you: Is there not R. Simeon b. Gamaliel who maintains the same standpoint as I!8 I uphold the same ruling as R. Simeon b. Gamaliel. According to Abaye's view [the standard of the respective cubits] is undoubtedly [a question in dispute between] Tannas;9 must it, however, be said that according to Raba's view also [the standard of the cubit is a question in dispute between] Tannas?10 — Raba can tell you, ‘It is this that R. Simeon b. Gamaliel desired11 to inform us: [That the handbreadths of] the cubit applicable to kil'ayim must not be compact’.12 [If that is the case]13 he should have said,14 ‘[The handbreadths of] the cubit applicable to kil'ayim must not be compact’; what, [however, could he have meant] to exclude [by his addition,] ‘of the standard of six [handbreadths]’? [Did he] not [obviously mean] to exclude the cubit of the sukkah and the cubit of the ‘entrance’?15 No; to exclude the cubit [by which the] base,16 and the one [by which the] surrounding ledge17 [of the altar were measured]18 for it is written in Scripture: And these are the measures of the altar by cubits — the cubit19 is a cubit and a handbreadth,’20 the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about a span,’ and this shall be the base of the altar;21 ‘The bottom shall be a cubit’21 refers to the foundation [of the altar];21 ‘And the breadth a cubit’21 refers to its surrounding ledge;17 ‘And the border thereof by the edge thereof round about a span refers to the horns;22 ‘And this shall be the base of the altar’ refers to the golden altar.23 R. Hiyya b. Ashi stated in the name of Rab: [The laws relating to] standards,24 interpositions25 and partitions26 [are a part of] the halachic code [that was entrusted] to Moses at Sinai. Are [not the laws relating to] standards24 Pentateuchal, since it is written in Scripture: A land of wheat and barley etc.27 and R. Hanan stated that all this verse was said [with reference to the laws] of standards? ‘Wheat’27 [namely was mentioned] as [an allusion to what] we have learnt: ‘If a man entered a leprous28 house, [carrying] his clothes upon his shoulders and his sandals and rings in his hand29 both he and they become levitically unclean forthwith.30 If, however, he was wearing his clothes, had his sandals on his feet and his rings on his fingers, he becomes unclean forthwith but they31 remain clean32 unless he stayed there33 [as much time] as is required for the eating34 of half a loaf35 of wheaten bread, but not of barley bread,36 while in a reclining posture37 and eating with some condiment’.38 ‘Barley’39 [is an allusion to the following]. For we have learnt: ‘A bone of the size of a barley grain causes defilement by contact and carrying, but not by cover’.40 ‘Vines’39 [are an allusion to] the quantity of a quarter [of a log]41 of wine [the drinking of which constitutes an offence]42 of a nazirite. ‘compact’. ,ubuufn uhvh tka ‘that the handbreadths shall be expanded’. (handbreadths)’ obviously differ from Abaye who holds that only those of kil'ayim conformed to that standard. kil'ayim, (a) be assumed to exclude the cubit of sukkah and entrance which, according to his opinion, must measure no more than five handbreadths, and his view consequently differs from that of the Sages; or (b) is his statement a commentary on the vague ruling of the Sages, that ‘the measurements are not alike’, its object being to explain that the cubit of six handbreadths of which they spoke must in the case of kil'ayim measure not six compact, but six expanded handbreadths, and thereby he only implied that the cubit of sukkah and entrance must be one of six compact ones, so that his views are in every way in complete agreement with that of the Sages? existed between R. Simeon b. Gamaliel and the Sages? other examples. bath. Pentateuchal law, of ‘he that goeth into the house . . ‘shall be unclean’ (Lev. XIV 46). ‘eateth’ infra n. 4). same roof or cover. V. Oh. II, 3.