Eruvin

a cross-beam of the width of four handbreadths1 effects permissibility in the case of water,2 does not the bucket swing to the other side3 and thus carry up the water from it? — The Rabbis have ascertained that a bucket does not swing beyond four handbreadths.4 But are not the waters mixed under the cross-beam at least? — The fact is that5 the Sages6 have relaxed the law in respect of water; as R. Tabla, when he enquired of Rab whether a suspended partition can convert a ruin7 into a permitted domain, was told: A suspended partition effects permissibility of use in the case of water alone8 since in the case of water did the Sages relax the law. R. JUDAH OBSERVED: THE PARTITION COULD NOT BE. Rabbah b. Bar Hana citing R. Johanan explained: R. Judah9 made his submission on the lines of the view of R. Jose who holds: A suspended partition effects permissibility even on dry land.10 For we learned: If its walls were suspended11 from above in a downward direction [the sukkah] is invalid, if they were removed12 three handbreadths from the ground;13 but if they are raised14 in an upward direction15 the sukkah is valid if they were ten handbreadths high.16 R. Jose ruled: As walls of the height of ten handbreadths are valid if they rise from the ground upwards16 so are those that stretch from above downwards valid if their height is ten handbreadths.17 This,18 however, is not correct; neither does R. Judah hold the view of R. Jose nor does R. Jose hold that of R. Judah. R. Judah does not hold the view of R. Jose, since the former maintained his view only19 in respect of ‘erubs of courtyards which are merely a Rabbinical institution20 but not in that of sukkah which is Pentateuchal.21 Nor does R. Jose hold the view of R. Judah, since the former maintained his view only in respect of sukkah which is merely a positive commandment22 but not in that of Sabbath which involves a prohibition punishable by stoning.21 And should you ask,23 ‘In agreement with whose view was that incident24 at Sepphoris25 decided upon?’26 It was not decided upon [it might be explained,] in agreement with the view of R. Jose27 but with that of R. Ishmael son of R. Jose.28 When29 R. Dimi came30 he related: The people once forgot to bring31 a scroll of the Torah on the Sabbath eve32 and on the following day they33 spread a sheet upon the pillars,34 brought the scroll of the Torah31 and read from it.35 ‘They spread!’ But is this permitted36 ab initio seeing that all37 agree that not even a temporary tent may be put tip on the Sabbath?38 The fact is that they found sheets spread upon the pillars and so they brought the scroll of the Torah and read from it. Rabbah observed: R. Judah and R. Hananya b. Akabya have said practically the same thing.39 As to R. Judah there is the ruling just mentioned. As to R. Hananya b. Akabya, it was taught:40 R. Hananya b. Akabya ruled: In a balcony41 that has an area of four cubits by four cubits42 domain from that of the other. may be as far above the water as the rim of the cistern. valid division between the waters of the two domains. expressly for the purpose. had been prepared, into the Synagogue. the Synagogue. Since no other door opened into the passage it was permissible to carry the scroll through it even in the absence of all ‘erub. duly recognized.