Eruvin

but if it does descend in a straight line1 the bottom of the glen is measured by the ordinary method.2 What may be the depth of a glen?3 — R. Joseph replied: Two thousand cubits. Abaye raised an objection against him: [If a glen was] a hundred cubits deep and fifty cubits wide one may span it, otherwise one may not! — He holds the view of ‘Others’,4 it having been taught: Others rule: Even though a glen was two thousand cubits deep but only fifty cubits wide one may span it. Some there are who read: R. Joseph replied: Even if it was deeper than two thousand cubits. In agreement with whose view is this ruling? Is it neither in agreement with that of the first Tanna5 nor with that of the ‘Others’?6 — There7 it is a case where the plumb line does not descend in a straight line8 but here it is one where it does descend in a straight line. 9 Where the plumb line does not descend in a straight line how much [deviation]10 is allowed? — Abimi replied: Up to four cubits; and so learned Rami b. Ezekiel: Up to four cubits. IF HE REACHED A HILL HE SPANS IT AND RESUMES HIS MEASURING. Raba explained: This11 was learnt only in respect of a hill that has a rise of ten handbreadths to a gradient of four cubits,12 but a hill that has a rise of ten handbreadths to five cubits must be measured in the usual manner.13 R. Huna son of R. Nathan taught this14 in the direction of leniency: Raba explained. This15 was learnt only in respect of a hill that has a rise often handbreadths to a gradient of five cubits,16 but a hill that has a rise of ten handbreadths to a gradient of four cubits17 one need only estimate its base and proceed with his measuring. PROVIDED HE DOES NOT GO BEYOND THE SABBATH LIMIT.18 What is the reason? — R. Kahana replied: This was ordained as a preventive measure against the possible assumption that the Sabbath limit reached to that point.19 IF HE IS UNABle TO SPAN IT. Our Rabbis taught: How is the method of piercing carried out? The man on the lower level holds his end of the rope on a level with his heart while the man on the higher level holds his end on a level with his feet. Abaye stated: We have it as a tradition that piercing may be effected only with a rope of the length of four cubits. R. Nahman citing Rabbah b. Abbuha stated:20 The method of piercing must not be employed in measurements in connection with the broken-necked heifer21 nor in those around the cities of refuge.21 because these are ordinances of the Torah.22 MISHNAH. [THE SABBATH LIMIT OF A TOWN] IS MEASURED ONLY ALONG THE BEATEN TRACK.23 IF ONE EXTENDED THE LIMIT AT ONE POINT MORE THAN AT ANOTHER,24 THE EXTENDED LIMIT IS OBSERVED.25 IF THERE WAS A GREATER DISTANCE FOR ONE AND A LESSER DISTANCE FOR ANOTHER,26 THE GREATER DISTANCE IS OBSERVED. FURTHERMORE, EVEN A BONDMAN AND EVEN A BONDWOMAN ARE BELIEVED WHEN THEY SAY, THUS FAR IS THE SABBATH LIMIT’, SINCE THE SAGES DID NOT ENACT THE LAW27 IN ORDER TO ADD RESTRICTIONS BUT IN ORDER TO RELAX THEM. for walking purposes. piercing. walking as far as that point, believing it to be within the Sabbath limit of their town. must be carefully measured cubit by cubit as level ground. lec. vjnun ‘expert’, ‘skilled surveyor’ (cf. Rashi s.v. d"v a.l.). to its utmost capacity so as to cover the maximum length possible it is assumed that the deficiency in the lesser limit is due to all insufficient stretching of the rope.