Eruvin

If on a moulding of an area of four handbreadths by four handbreadths that projected from a wall1 a ladder of the smallest size2 was rested3 a valid reduction is thereby effected.4 This, however, applies only where the ladder was resting on it,5 but if it was placed at the side6 of its the latter is thereby merely extended.7 R. Nahman further stated in the name of Rabbah b. Abbuha: A wall8 that was nineteen handbreadths high requires only one projection9 to enable it to be used as a means of access,10 but a wall8 twenty handbreadths high requires for the purpose two projections.11 R. Hisda observed: This,12 however, applies only where they are not situated exactly one above the other.13 R. Huna ruled: If in a public domain there was a post ten handbreadths high and four handbreadths wide14 and a peg of the smallest size had been inserted on it,15 a valid reduction is thereby effected.16 R. Adda b. Ahabah observed: Provided the peg was three handbreadths high.17 Both Abaye and Raba, however, maintain: Even if it18 was not three handbreadths high. What is their reason? — Because it19 is no longer suitable for use.20 R. Ashi ruled:21 Even if it18 was three handbreadths high. What is the reason?- It is possible to suspend some object from it.22 R. Aha son of Raba asked R. Ashi, ‘What is the ruling where it19 was completely covered with pegs?’23 — ‘Did you not hear’, the other replied: ‘the following ruling of R. Johanan:24 A pit and the bank around it25 combine to constitute a depth of ten handbreadths?26 Now seeing that [the bank] cannot be used27 why [should it be regarded as a private domain]? What then can you say in reply? That some object28 might be placed over it and thereby it is made available for use. Well then, here also29 some object30 might be placed [over them]31 and thereby it is made available for use’.32 Rab Judah citing Samuel ruled: A wall33 ten handbreadths high requires a ladder of fourteen handbreadths in length34 to render it permissible for use35 R. Joseph ruled: Even [a ladder] of thirteen handbreadths36 and a fraction [is sufficient].37 Abaye ruled: Even one of eleven handbreadths38 and a fraction suffices.39 R. Huna son of R. Joshua ruled: Even one of seven handbreadths and a fraction suffices.40 Rab stated: That a ladder in a vertical position effects a reduction is a tradition but I do not know the reason for it.41 ‘Does not Abba’,42 Samuel said to him,43 ‘know the reason for this ruling? The case is in fact similar to that of a balcony above a balcony’.44 Rabbah citing R. Hiyya said: The palm-trees of Babylon45 need not be fixed to the ground.46 What is the reason? Their heaviness imparts permanency of position to them.47 R. Joseph, however, citing R. Oshaia, ruled: The ladders in Babylon48 need not be fixed in position.46 What is the reason? Their heaviness imparts permanency of position to them. He49 who spoke of ladders would a fortiori apply the same ruling to palm-trees.50 He,51 however, who spoke of palm-trees does not apply the same ruling to ladders.52 R. Joseph enquired of Rabbah: What is the ruling where two ladders53 were held together by straw links between them?54 The sole of the foot, the other replied, cannot ascend upon them.55 What is your ruling if the ladder56 was in the middle and the straw links were on each side?57 — Behold, the other replied, the sole of the foot does ascend upon them.58 from one another, and the lowest one was within three handbreadths from tºe ground. between the courtyards. from it, no valid reduction. handbreadths leaves a distance of less than ten handbreadths both below and above it. from the public domain into which the movement of objects on the Sabbath is forbidden. the surface of its top which, consequently, remains a private domain. loses its status as a private domain or is the law in the case of many pegs the same as in that of one peg? the hole of the pit to constitute the prescribed minimum of four handbreadths by four (cf. Shab, 99a). the wall (v. foll. n.). floor between the latter and the foot of the former represent respectively the hypotenuse and the two sides of an isosceles right-angled triangle, and since the wall is ten handbreadths high and the distance between the foot of the ladder and the wall is also (cf. prev. n.) ten handbreadths, the length, or height of the ladder must be (10 + 10 X 2/5 approx. = 10 + 4 =) 14 handbreadths approx. (cf. Tosaf. a.l.). from the wall, or it suffices if its top reaches only to within one handbreadth from the top of the wall (cf. R. Han.). the ladder to reach the wall at a height of seven handbreadths and a fraction (cf. supra n. 7 mut. mut.). putting the ladder close to the wall in a vertical position its top reaching a point within three handbreadths from the top of the wall, on the principle of labud (cf. prev. n.) this point may be regarded as the top of the wall. of his time. fourteen handbreadths. climb from the one into the other. their places on the Sabbath. handbreadths. Lit., ‘a ladder from here and a ladder from here and straws in the middle’. that middle part consists of straw links that are unsuitable for the purpose, the ladder cannot effect any reduction. supports for one's hands. The entire structure may, therefore, be regarded as a unit of the prescribed size and reduction may thereby be effected.