Eruvin

PROVIDED HE DOES NOT GO BEYOND THE SABBATH LIMIT. IF HE IS UNABLE TO SPAN IT — IN CONNECTION WITH THIS R. DOSTAI B. JANNAI STATED IN THE NAME OF R. MEIR, I HAVE HEARD THAT HILLS ARE TREATED AS THOUGH THEY WERE PIERCED’.1 GEMARA. Whence is this2 deduced? — Rab Judah citing Rab replied: From Scripture which says. The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty by fifty,3 the Torah having thus4 enjoined: Measure with a rope of the length of fifty cubits. But is not this text required for the ordinance to take away fifty and to surround with them the other fifty?5 — If for that purpose only,6 Scripture might have said ‘fifty, fifty’ why then did it say ‘fifty by fifty’? Hence both may be deduced.7 NEITHER LESS NOR MORE. One taught: Neither less because the measurements are increased,8 nor more because they are reduced.9 R. Assi10 ruled: One must measure only with a rope of apeskima.11 What is the meaning of apeskima? — R. Abba replied: Nargila. What is Nargila?- R. Jacob replied: A palm-tree which has only one bast. Others read: What is the meaning of apeskima? — R. Abba replied: Nargila; R. Jacob replied: A palm-tree which has only one bast. It was taught: R. Joshua b. Hananiah said: ‘You have nothing more suitable for measuring than iron chains, but what can we do in face of what the Torah12 said: With a measuring line in his hand.13 Is it not, however, written: And in the man's hand was a measuring rod?14 — That was used for measuring the gates. R. Joseph learned: There are three kinds of rope. Those made of megeg,15 of wicker and of flax. The megeg rope16 was used for the heifer;17 for we learned: They bound it with a rope of megeg and put it on its pile.18 The wicker rope was used in connection with the test of a faithless wife;19 for we learned: And after that he brings a wicker rope20 and binds it above her breasts.21 The flax rope was used for measuring purposes. IF IN THE COURSE OF MEASURING THE SURVEYOR REACHED. Since it was stated: RESUMES HIS MEASURING it may be inferred that if he is unable to span it22 he proceeds to a position23 from where24 he is able to do so and, after spanning it, he makes the necessary observations25 [whereby he is enabled to locate the point on the far side]26 that is in a straight line with his original line of measuring27 and then he resumes [his measurements in a straight line] — Thus we have here learnt what the Rabbis have taught elsewhere: If in the course of measuring the measuring rope reached a glen, the surveyor may span it if he can do so with a rope of fifty cubits, but if not, he proceeds to a position23 from where24 he is able to span it and, having spanned it, he makes the necessary observations25 [whereby he is enabled to locate the point on the far sides that is in a straight line with his original line of measuring] and then he resumes his measuring. If the glen was a crooked one28 it is pierced in an upward, as well as in a downward direction.29 If it30 reached a wall we do not say: ‘Let the wall be bored through’;31 its thickness rather is estimated and the measuring continues.32 Have we not, however, learnt: HE SPANS IT AND RESUMES HIS MEASURING?33 — There34 it is a case of one that can be conveniently used35 but here it is a case of one that cannot conveniently be used.36 Rab Judah citing Samuel stated: This37 was learned only in the case where a plumb line38 does not descend in a straight line39 the standard number it represents. The Sabbath limits would in consequence be greater than the permitted distance. represents. This would result in a loss in the Sabbath limits. which the sabbath limit was being measured (v. Rashi). (Tosaf. s.v. iht a.l.). spanned or pierced. they may be disregarded and only the estimated thickness of the wall need be included in the measurements.