Eiruvin 2:5-6

Eiruvin 2:5

[Editor’s note: In the following mishna, “70-plus” means “70 plus a little bit.” The square root of 5,000 is about 70.71, so borders of 70.72 cubits or more on either side would exceed 5,000 square cubits.]

Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava says that one may carry in a garden or storage yard that is 70-plus cubits by 70-plus cubits (i.e., 5,000 square cubits – see mishna 2:3) that is surrounded by a fence ten handbreadths tall (approximately 30”) so long as it contains a booth for the watchman or a dwelling for the owner, or is near the city (i.e., within the Shabbos boundary). Rabbi Yehuda says that people may carry in the garden or yard even if it contains a cistern, a well or a cave. Rabbi Akiva says that none of these things are necessary; one may carry so long as the garden or yard is 70-plus cubits by 70-plus cubits (not more). Rabbi Eliezer says that if the length exceeds the width by even a single cubit, one may not carry in the garden or yard; Rabbi Yosi says that one may carry in it even if the length is twice the width.

Eiruvin 2:6

Rabbi Elai heard from Rabbi Eliezer that one may carry in the garden or yard even if it is the size of a beis kor (75,000 square cubits – approximately 169,000 square feet). He also heard that if one of the residents of a courtyard forgot to contribute to the communal eiruv, he may not carry to or from the courtyard but the other residents may. He also heard that hart’s tongue (Asplenium scolopendrium – a type of fern) fulfills the obligation of maror (bitter herbs) on Passover. Rabbi Elai sought colleagues from among Rabbi Eliezer’s students who could corroborate these teachings but he didn’t find any.