## Eruvin Daf 3a

###### Eruvin 3a:1
[Eruvin 3a:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:1)

לָא תַּיהֲנֵי לֵיהּ אֲמַלְתְּרָא, דְּהָא הֵיכָל אֲמַלְתְּרָא הַוְיָא לֵיהּ, וַאֲפִילּוּ הָכִי — עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה הוּא דְּגָבוֹהַּ, דִּתְנַן: חָמֵשׁ אֲמַלְתְּרָאוֹת שֶׁל מֵילָה הָיוּ עַל גַּבָּיו, זוֹ לְמַעְלָה מִזּוֹ, וְזוֹ לְמַעְלָה מִזּוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**a** molded or protruding **cornice [*amaltera*]** crowning the entrance **should not be effective** in rendering an alleyway fit to carry within it if it is higher than twenty cubits, **as the Sanctuary had a cornice, and even so** it was **twenty cubits high,** and no more. **As we learned** in a mishna: **Over it were five oak cornices, one** protruding **above the other.**


###### Eruvin 3a:2
[Eruvin 3a:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:2)

וְהַאי מַאי תְּיוּבְתָּא? דִילְמָא כִּי תַּנְיָא הָהִיא דַּאֲמַלְתְּרָאוֹת, בָּאוּלָם תַּנְיָא?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara attempts to dismiss this difficulty: **And,** with regard to **that** mishna, **what is the refutation? Perhaps when that** mishna **with regard to cornices was taught, it was taught with regard to the Entrance Hall,** whose height was forty cubits, and not with regard to the Sanctuary.


###### Eruvin 3a:3
[Eruvin 3a:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:3)

וְהַאי מַאי קוּשְׁיָא? דִילְמָא תַּבְנִית הֵיכַל כְּתַבְנִית אוּלָם?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara responds: **And what is the difficulty** with **that? Perhaps the design of the Sanctuary was like the design of the Entrance Hall.** Just as there were cornices in one doorway, there were cornices in the other.


###### Eruvin 3a:4
[Eruvin 3a:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:4)

אַלְּמָה אָמַר רַבִּי אִילְעָא אָמַר רַב: רְחָבָה אַרְבָּעָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינָהּ בְּרִיאָה. וְאִם יֵשׁ לָהּ אֲמַלְתְּרָא אֲפִילּוּ גְּבוֹהָה יוֹתֵר מֵעֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לְמַעֵט.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara returns to its question with regard to a cornice: **Why** then **did Rabbi Ile’a say** that **Rav** himself **said:** If the **width** of a cross beam is **four** handbreadths, **even if it is not sturdy,** it renders the alleyway fit for carrying within it. **And if it has a cornice, even if it is higher than twenty cubits, one need not diminish** its height.


###### Eruvin 3a:5
[Eruvin 3a:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:5)

אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: אֲמַלְתְּרָא מַתְנִיתָא הִיא, מַאן קָתָנֵי לַהּ?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rav Yosef said:** This *halakha* with regard to a **cornice** was not actually stated by Rav, but rather it **is a *baraita*. Who,** in fact, **teaches** that *baraita*? Perhaps it is not an authoritative *baraita*, and Rav does not have to accept what it says.


###### Eruvin 3a:6
[Eruvin 3a:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:6)

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: וְהָא חָמָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ קָתָנֵי לַהּ, וְתִיהְוֵי אֲמַלְתְּרָא מַתְנִיתָא וְתִיקְשֵׁי לְרַב!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Abaye said: Isn’t it Ḥama, son of Rabba bar Avuh, who teaches it? And** therefore, even if the *halakha* with regard to a **cornice will be a *baraita*, it** nevertheless **poses a difficulty to Rav.**


###### Eruvin 3a:7
[Eruvin 3a:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:7)

אָמַר לְךָ רַב: דַּל אֲנָא מֵהָכָא, מַתְנְיָיתָא מִי לָא קַשְׁיָין אַהֲדָדֵי? אֶלָּא מַאי אִית לָךְ לְמֵימַר — תַּנָּאֵי הִיא, לְדִידִי נָמֵי תַּנָּאֵי הִיא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rav** could have **said to you:** Even if you **eliminate me** and my explanation **from** the discussion **here, don’t the** two ***baraitot*** themselves, the *baraita* that states that the Rabbis derive the dimensions of an entrance from the doorway of the Sanctuary and the *baraita* that states that in the case of a cornice, even if it is higher than twenty cubits, it need not be lowered, **contradict each other? Rather, what have you to say** to reconcile the contradiction? The matter is the subject of a dispute between ***tanna’im*; so too, according to my** opinion, it **is** the subject of a dispute between ***tanna’im*.**


###### Eruvin 3a:8
[Eruvin 3a:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:8)

רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר: בְּלָא רַב — מַתְנְיָיתָא אַהֲדָדֵי לָא קַשְׁיָין: לְרַבָּנַן קוֹרָה טַעְמָא מַאי — מִשּׁוּם הֶיכֵּרָא, וְהַאי דְּקָתָנֵי ״יָתֵר מִפִּתְחוֹ שֶׁל הֵיכָל״ — סִימָנָא בְּעָלְמָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Without Rav, the *baraitot* do not contradict each other,** as **according to the Rabbis, what is the reason** that **a** cross **beam** renders an alleyway fit for carrying? Because it serves **as a conspicuous marker** between the alleyway and the public domain. Ordinarily a cross beam more than twenty cubits high is not noticeable; however, a cornice attracts attention even at that height. **And that which is taught** in the other *baraita* with regard to the height of a beam at the entrance to an alleyway: **Greater than the entrance of the Sanctuary,** is **merely** a **mnemonic** device. No actual *halakhot* are derived from the entrance of the Sanctuary.


###### Eruvin 3a:9
[Eruvin 3a:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:9)

וְרַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק, הָנִיחָא אִי לָא סְבִירָא לֵיהּ הָא דְּרַבָּה, אֶלָּא אִי סְבִירָא לֵיהּ הָא דְּרַבָּה, דְּאָמַר רַבָּה, כְּתִיב: ״לְמַעַן יֵדְעוּ דוֹרוֹתֵיכֶם כִּי בַסֻּכּוֹת הוֹשַׁבְתִּי״, עַד עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה אָדָם יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁדָּר בַּסּוּכָּה, לְמַעְלָה מֵעֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה אֵין אָדָם יוֹדֵעַ, מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא שָׁלְטָא בֵּיהּ עֵינָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara notes: **And** that the explanation of **Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak works out well if he does not hold this** opinion **of Rabba; however, if he holds this** opinion **of Rabba,** it is difficult. As **Rabba said** with regard to the fitness of a *sukka* whose roofing is higher than twenty cubits that **it is written: “In order that your generations should know that I made** the children of Israel **dwell in booths** when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 23:43). When the roofing of a *sukka* is **up to twenty cubits** high, **a person is aware that he is dwelling in a *sukka*;** however, when the roofing of the *sukka* is **above twenty cubits, a person is not aware** that he is dwelling in a *sukka*, **because the eye does not discern** the *sukka* roofing. One does not usually raise his head to look that high, and consequently, he sees the walls and does not notice the defining feature of the *sukka*, its roofing.


###### Eruvin 3a:10
[Eruvin 3a:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:10)

אַלְמָא גַּבֵּי סוּכָּה נָמֵי בְּהֶיכֵּרָא פְּלִיגִי, אִיפְּלוֹגֵי בְּתַרְתֵּי לְמָה לִי?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara explains the difficulty: **Apparently, with regard to *sukka* as well,** the Rabbis and Rabbi Yehuda **disagree** whether or not an item more than twenty cubits high is **conspicuous.** According to Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak, **why do I** need them to **disagree** about the same point **in two cases,** that of *sukka* and that of an alleyway? That the dispute between the Rabbis and Rabbi Yehuda with regard to *sukka* revolves around this issue indicates that their dispute with regard to an alleyway revolves around a different point, as asserted by Rav.


###### Eruvin 3a:11
[Eruvin 3a:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:11)

צְרִיכָא, דְּאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן גַּבֵּי סוּכָּה — בְּהָא קָאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה כֵּיוָן דְּלִישִׁיבָה עֲבִידָא, שָׁלְטָא בֵּיהּ עֵינָא. אֲבָל מָבוֹי, דִּלְהִילּוּךְ עֲבִיד — אֵימָא מוֹדֶה לְהוּ לְרַבָּנַן. וְאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן בְּהָא — בְּהָא קָאָמְרִי רַבָּנַן, אֲבָל בְּהָךְ אֵימָא מוֹדוּ לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה. צְרִיכָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara answers: It is **necessary** to teach both disputes, **as had** the mishna **taught us** only **with regard to *sukka*,** one might have thought that only **in this** case does **Rabbi Yehuda say** that an object is conspicuous even above twenty cubits; **since** a *sukka* **is designed for** extended **dwelling, the eye** undoubtedly **discerns** the roofing at some point. **However,** in the case of **an alleyway,** which **is designed for walking, say** that **he concedes to** the **Rabbis** that a person walking in an alleyway does not notice objects at so significant a height. **And had** the mishna **taught us** only **with regard to that** case of an alleyway, one might have thought that only **in that** case do **the Rabbis say** that people do not notice objects at so significant a height; **however, in that** case of *sukka*, **say** that **they concede to Rabbi Yehuda,** for the above-stated reason. Therefore, it is **necessary** to teach both disputes.


###### Eruvin 3a:12
[Eruvin 3a:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:12)

מַאי אֲמַלְתְּרָא? רַב חָמָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ אָמַר: קִינֵּי. כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אֲמַר, אָמְרִי בְּמַעְרְבָא: פִּסְקֵי דְאַרְזָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara seeks to arrive at a precise definition of *amaltera*, translated above as cornice. **What** is **an *amaltera*? Rav Ḥama, son of Rabba bar Avuh, said:** It refers to decorative wood carvings in the shape of **birds’ nests. When Rav Dimi came** from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, **he said** that **they say in the West,** Eretz Yisrael, it is referring to **cedar poles.**


###### Eruvin 3a:13
[Eruvin 3a:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:13)

מַאן דְּאָמַר פִּסְקֵי דְאַרְזָא, כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן קִינֵּי. מַאן דְּאָמַר קִינֵּי, אֲבָל פִּסְקֵי דְאַרְזָא לָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara explains: **The one who said** that *amaltera* refers to **cedar poles** would **all the more so** permit use of carvings of **birds’ nests,** as a cross beam engraved with images attracts attention and is noticeable even at a great height. However, **the one who said** that *amaltera* refers to carvings of **birds’ nests** would say that the *halakha* with regard to a cornice applies only to them, **but not to cedar poles.**


###### Eruvin 3a:14
[Eruvin 3a:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:14)

וּמַאן דְּאָמַר פִּסְקֵי דְאַרְזָא מַאי טַעְמָא — מִשּׁוּם דִּנְפִישׁ מְשָׁכֵיהּ. וְהָא סוּכָּה דִּנְפִישׁ מְשָׁכֵיהּ, וְקָאָמְרִי רַבָּנַן דְּלָא!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara clarifies the opinion of **the one who said cedar poles. What is** the **reason** for his opinion? He holds that **since its length is great,** a cedar pole attracts attention. **But isn’t the length of a *sukka* great** as well, **and** nevertheless, **the Rabbis say that** a *sukka* higher than twenty cubits is **not** fit?


###### Eruvin 3a:15
[Eruvin 3a:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:15)

אֶלָּא: כֵּיוָן דְּקָא חֲשִׁיב אִית לֵיהּ קָלָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rather,** the reason is as follows: **Since** a cedar pole **is** of **significant** value, **it** generates **publicity.** People passing through an alleyway stop and stare at a cross beam of that kind, even when it is higher than twenty cubits, leading others to do so as well.


###### Eruvin 3a:16
[Eruvin 3a:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:16)

מִקְצָת קוֹרָה בְּתוֹךְ עֶשְׂרִים, וּמִקְצָת קוֹרָה לְמַעְלָה מֵעֶשְׂרִים, מִקְצָת סְכָךְ בְּתוֹךְ עֶשְׂרִים, וּמִקְצָת סְכָךְ לְמַעְלָה מֵעֶשְׂרִים? אָמַר רַבָּה: בְּמָבוֹי כָּשֵׁר, בְּסוּכָּה פָּסוּל.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara raises a question: If **part of the** cross **beam** of an alleyway is **within twenty** cubits of the ground, **and part of the** cross **beam** is **above twenty** cubits, and similarly, if **part of the roofing** of a *sukka* is **within twenty** cubits, **and part of the roofing** is **above twenty** cubits, what is its legal status? **Rabba said: In** the case of **an alleyway, it is fit; in** the case of **a *sukka*, it is unfit.**


###### Eruvin 3a:17
[Eruvin 3a:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:17)

מַאי שְׁנָא בְּמָבוֹי דְּכָשֵׁר, דְּאָמְרִינַן קְלוֹשׁ? סוּכָּה נָמֵי לֵימָא קְלוֹשׁ!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is different in** the case of **an alleyway** that the ruling is **that it is fit?** It is because **we say: Thin** the part of the cross beam that is beyond twenty cubits, i.e., consider it as if it were not there. If so, in the case of ***sukka* too, say: Thin** the roofing that is beyond twenty cubits.


###### Eruvin 3a:18
[Eruvin 3a:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:18)

אִי קָלְשַׁתְּ — הָוְיָא לַהּ חֲמָתָהּ מְרוּבָּה מִצִּילָּתָהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara answers: **If you thin** the roofing beyond twenty cubits, **it will result in** a *sukka* **whose sun is more than its shade.** Were the section of the roofing above twenty cubits removed, the roofing that remained would not provide sufficient shade for the *sukka*.


###### Eruvin 3a:19
[Eruvin 3a:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:19)

הָכָא נָמֵי, אִי קָלְשַׁתְּ הָוְיָא לַהּ קוֹרָה הַנִּיטֶּלֶת בָּרוּחַ. אֶלָּא עַל כׇּרְחָךְ, נַעֲשׂוּ כְּשַׁפּוּדִין שֶׁל מַתֶּכֶת. הָכָא נָמֵי — עַל כׇּרְחָךְ נַעֲשֵׂית צִילָּתָהּ מְרוּבָּה מֵחַמָּתָהּ!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara rejects this argument: **Here too,** in the case of a cross beam, **if you thin** the section above twenty cubits, **it would become a** weak and unstable cross **beam that is removed by the wind,** which does not render the alleyway fit for carrying within it. **Rather, perforce,** the status of the remaining parts of those cross beams **becomes like** that of **metal skewers [*shefudin*],** which, although they are thin, are not removed by the wind. **Here too,** in the case of a *sukka*, **perforce,** even after the upper roofing is removed, the status of the *sukka* **becomes like** that of a *sukka* **whose shade is more than its sun.**


###### Eruvin 3a:20
[Eruvin 3a:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:20)

אָמַר רָבָא מִפַּרְזַקְיָא: סוּכָּה דִּלְיָחִיד הִיא לָא מִדְּכַר, מָבוֹי דִּלְרַבִּים מַדְכְּרִי אַהֲדָדֵי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara explains Rabba’s distinction differently. **Rava from Parzakya said: A *sukka*, which is** generally erected **for an individual,** if the portion of the roofing below twenty were removed and only the portion above twenty remained, **he** would **not be reminded** to lower the remaining roofing and would dwell in a *sukka* that is unfit. **An alleyway,** in contrast, **which is** used by **many** people, if the section of the cross beam below twenty cubits were removed, **they** would **remind each other** to remedy the situation.


###### Eruvin 3a:21
[Eruvin 3a:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:21)

רָבִינָא אָמַר: סוּכָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא — אַחְמִירוּ בַּהּ רַבָּנַן, מָבוֹי דְּרַבָּנַן — לָא אַחְמִירוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Ravina said** a different explanation: **With regard to a *sukka*,** since its mitzva **is by Torah law, the Sages were stringent.** However, **with regard to an alleyway,** since the entire requirement to place a cross beam across the entrance in order to permit carrying in an alleyway **is** only **by rabbinic law, the Sages were not stringent.**


###### Eruvin 3a:22
[Eruvin 3a:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:22)

רַב אַדָּא בַּר מַתְנָה מַתְנֵי לְהָא שְׁמַעְתָּא דְּרַבָּה אִיפְּכָא. אָמַר רַבָּה: בְּמָבוֹי פָּסוּל, בְּסוּכָּה כְּשֵׁירָה!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara cites a different version of Rabba’s distinction: **Rav Adda bar Mattana taught this *halakha* of Rabba** in the **opposite** manner. **Rabba said: In** the case of **an alleyway, it is unfit; in** the case of **a *sukka*, it is fit.** As a result, all the previous explanations must be reversed.


###### Eruvin 3a:23
[Eruvin 3a:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:23)

מַאי שְׁנָא סוּכָּה דִּכְשֵׁירָה, דְּאָמְרִינַן קְלוֹשׁ? בְּמָבוֹי נָמֵי לֵימָא קְלוֹשׁ!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is different in** the case of **a *sukka*** that **it is fit?** Because **we say: Thin** the roofing that is beyond twenty cubits. If so, then **in** the case of **a** cross **beam as well, let us say: Thin** the part of the cross beam that is beyond twenty cubits.


###### Eruvin 3a:24
[Eruvin 3a:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:24)

אִי קְלַשַׁת, הָוֵי לַהּ קוֹרָה הַנִּיטֶּלֶת בְּרוּחַ. הָכָא נָמֵי, אִי קָלְשַׁתְּ — הָוְיָא לַהּ חֲמָתָהּ מְרוּבָּה מִצִּילָּתָהּ! אֶלָּא עַל כׇּרְחֲךָ, נַעֲשֵׂית צִילָּתָהּ מְרוּבָּה מֵחַמָּתָהּ, הָכָא נָמֵי, עַל כׇּרְחָךְ נַעֲשׂוּ כְּשַׁפּוּדִין שֶׁל מַתֶּכֶת!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara answers: **If you thin** the part beyond twenty cubits, **it will become a** weak and unstable cross **beam that moves in the wind.** The Gemara rejects this argument: **Here too,** in the case of a *sukka*, **if you thin** the upper section of the roofing, **it would become** a *sukka* **whose sun is more than its shade. Rather, perforce,** even after the upper roofing is removed, the status of the *sukka* **becomes like** that of a *sukka* **whose shade is more than its sun; here too,** in the case of an alleyway, **perforce,** the status of the remaining parts of those cross beams **becomes like** that of **metal skewers,** which, although they are thin, do not move in the wind.


###### Eruvin 3a:25
[Eruvin 3a:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:25)

אָמַר רָבָא מִפַּרְזַקְיָא: סוּכָּה דִּלְיָחִיד הִיא רָמֵי אַנַּפְשֵׁיהּ וּמִדְּכַר, מָבוֹי דִּלְרַבִּים הִיא סָמְכִי אַהֲדָדֵי וְלָא מִדַּכְרִי, דְאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: קִדְרָא דְבֵי שׁוּתָּפֵי, לָא חַמִּימָא וְלָא קָרִירָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara offers a different explanation of Rabba’s distinction: **Rava from Parzakya said:** In the case of **a *sukka*, which is** generally erected **for an individual, he casts** responsibility **upon himself and is reminded** to make certain that the roofing is fit. In the case of **an alleyway, which is** used by **many** people, **they** are likely to **rely upon each other and are not reminded** to check the height of the cross beam. **As people say: A pot** belonging to **partners is neither hot nor cold.** When responsibility falls upon more than one person, each relies on the other, and ultimately the task is not completed.


###### Eruvin 3a:26
[Eruvin 3a:26](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:26)

רָבִינָא אָמַר: סוּכָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא — לָא בָּעֵי חִיזּוּק. מָבוֹי דְּרַבָּנַן — בָּעֵי חִיזּוּק.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Ravina** offered a different explanation and **said:** The mitzva of ***sukka*,** which **is by Torah law, does not require reinforcement** by the Sages, and consequently, they were lenient in that case. However, since the entire requirement to place a cross beam across the entrance to **an alleyway is by rabbinic law,** it **requires reinforcement,** and therefore the Sages were stringent.


###### Eruvin 3a:27
[Eruvin 3a:27](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Eruvin/r/3a:27)

מַאי הָוֵי עֲלַהּ? רַבָּה בַּר רַב עוּלָּא אָמַר: זֶה וָזֶה — פָּסוּל. רָבָא אָמַר: זֶה וָזֶה כָּשֵׁר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Since there are two contradictory versions of Rabba’s statement, the Gemara inquires: **What** practical conclusion **was** reached **about this** problem, if part of the roofing of the *sukka* or the cross beam was above twenty cubits? **Rabba bar Rav Ulla said:** In that case, both **this,** an alleyway, **and that,** a *sukka*, **are unfit. Rava said:** Both **this and that are fit,**