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Eruvin 28b

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Babylonian Talmud · folio map

Eruvin 28b

Eruvin 28b. The full printed text of this folio side — 24 numbered segments, about 522 words — with the classic commentaries printed on the page.

Original text

Segment 1

בִּדְגִנּוּנְיָיתָא.

he was referring to the garden variety, which is commonly eaten.

Segment 2

זֶרַע גַּרְגִּיר. לְמַאי חֲזֵי? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שֶׁכֵּן רִאשׁוֹנִים שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה לָהֶן פִּלְפְּלִין, שׁוֹחֲקִין אוֹתוֹ וּמַטְבִּילִין בּוֹ אֶת הַצָּלִי.

Having mentioned arugula seeds, the Gemara asks: For what are they suitable? Generally, only the plant’s leaves are eaten. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The earlier generations, who had no pepper, would crush these seeds and dip their roasted meat in them. Therefore, arugula seeds are also eaten, even though this is not their typical use.

Segment 3

רַבִּי זֵירָא כִּי הֲוָה חֲלִישׁ מִגִּרְסֵיהּ, הֲוָה אָזֵיל וְיָתֵיב אַפִּיתְחָא דְּרַב יְהוּדָה בַּר אַמֵּי, אָמַר: כִּי נָפְקִי וְעָיְילִי רַבָּנַן — אֵיקוּם מִקַּמַּיְיהוּ וַאֲקַבֵּל בְּהוּ אַגְרָא.

The Gemara relates that when Rabbi Zeira was exhausted from his studies, he would go and sit at the entrance to the academy of Rav Yehuda bar Ami, and say: When the Sages go in and out, I shall stand up before them and receive reward for honoring them, as it is a mitzva to honor Torah scholars. Too tired to engage in actual Torah study, he sought a way to rest while fulfilling a different mitzva at the same time.

Segment 4

נְפַק אֲתָא יָנוֹקָא דְּבֵי רַב, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי אַגְמְרָךְ רַבָּךְ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כְּשׁוּת ״בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה״, חֲזִיז ״שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיֶה בִּדְבָרוֹ״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַדְּרַבָּה, אִיפְּכָא מִיסְתַּבְּרָא, הַאי — מֵאַרְעָא קָא מִרַבֵּי, וְהַאי — מֵאַוֵּירָא קָא מִרַבֵּי.

Once, a young school child was leaving the study hall. Rabbi Zeira said to him: What did your teacher teach you today? He said to him: The proper blessing for dodder is: Who creates the fruit of the ground; the proper blessing for green grain is: By Whose word all things came to be. Rabbi Zeira said to him: On the contrary, the opposite is more reasonable, as this, the green grain, derives nourishment from the ground, whereas that, the dodder, derives nourishment from the air, and it is fitting to recite a blessing over each item in accordance with its source of nourishment.

Segment 5

וְהִלְכְתָא כְּיָנוֹקָא דְּבֵי רַב. מַאי טַעְמָא: הַאי — גְּמַר פֵּירֵי, וְהַאי — לָאו גְּמַר פֵּירֵי. וּמַאי דְּקָאָמְרַתְּ: הַאי מֵאַרְעָא קָא רָבֵי, וְהַאי מֵאַוֵּירָא קָא רָבֵי — לָא הִיא. כְּשׁוּת נָמֵי מֵאַרְעָא קָא רָבֵי, דְּהָא קָא חָזֵינַן דְּקָטְלִינַן לַהּ לְהִיזְמְתָא וּמָיְיתָא כְּשׁוּתָא.

The Gemara concludes: The halakha is in accordance with the young school child. What is the reason for this? This, the dodder, is fully ripened produce, and that, green grain, is not fully ripened produce. If produce is not fully ripened one can only recite the blessing: By Whose word all things came to be. And that which you said: This, the green grain, derives nourishment from the ground, whereas that, the dodder, derives nourishment from the air, this is not so. Dodder also derives nourishment from the ground, for we see that when the prickly shrub is cut off, the dodder attached to it dies. This shows that dodder also derives its nourishment from the ground, albeit indirectly.

Segment 6

וּבְכַפְנִיּוֹת אֵין מְעָרְבִין? וְהָתַנְיָא: קוֹר נִיקָּח בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר, וְאֵין מִטַּמֵּא טוּמְאַת אוֹכָלִין. וְכַפְנִיּוֹת נִקָּחוֹת בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר, וּמִטַּמְּאוֹת טוּמְאַת אוֹכָלִים.

The Gemara now considers the next part of Rav’s statement: And is it correct that one may not establish an eiruv with unripe dates? Wasn’t it taught in a baraita : Heart of palm, the soft, edible inner core of a palm tree, may be bought with second- tithe money; but it does not contract the ritual impurity of foods, as it is not actually a food, but rather a part of the tree itself. And unripe dates may be bought with second- tithe money, and they even contract the ritual impurity of foods.

Segment 7

רָבֵי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: קוֹר הֲרֵי הוּא כְּעֵץ לְכׇל דְּבָרָיו — אֶלָּא שֶׁנִּיקָּח בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר, וְכַפְנִיּוֹת הֲרֵי הֵן כִּפְרִי לְכׇל דִּבְרֵיהֶם — אֶלָּא שֶׁפְּטוּרוֹת מִן הַמַּעֲשֵׂר.

Rabbi Yehuda says this somewhat differently: Heart of palm is like a tree in all its legal aspects, except that it may be bought with second- tithe money, as it is edible. And unripe dates are like fruit in all regards, as they are actual fruit, except with respect to one characteristic, which is that they are exempt from tithes because they are not yet fully ripened.

Segment 8

הָתָם, בִּדְנִיסְחָנֵי.

The Gemara answers: There, the baraita is referring to the fruit of palms that never fully ripen . They are therefore regarded as full-fledged fruit even in their unripe state. Rav, however, was referring to the fruit of palms, which eventually ripen. Their unripe state is merely a transitional stage in their development.

Segment 9

אִי הָכִי, בְּהָא לֵימָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה פְּטוּרוֹת מִן הַמַּעֲשֵׂר? וְהָתַנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: לֹא הוּזְכְּרוּ פַּגֵּי בֵיתְיוֹנֵי אֶלָּא לְעִנְיַן מַעֲשֵׂר בִּלְבַד. פַּגֵּי בֵיתְיוֹנֵי וַאֲהִינֵי דְטוֹבִינָא חַיָּיבִין בְּמַעֲשֵׂר.

The Gemara asks: If so, would Rabbi Yehuda say with regard to this that they are exempt from tithes? Wasn’t it taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda said: The unripe figs of the place called Beityoni were only mentioned with regard to tithes, as it was stated: In the case of the unripe figs of Beityoni, and the unripe dates of the place called Tuvina, one is obligated to tithe them even though they never ripen, since they are considered full-fledged fruit in all respects?

Segment 10

אֶלָּא לְעוֹלָם לָאו בְּנִיסְחָנֵי, וּלְעִנְיַן טוּמְאַת אוֹכָלִין שָׁאנֵי, כִּדְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הוֹאִיל וְרָאוּי לְמַתְּקָן עַל יְדֵי הָאוּר, הָכָא נָמֵי: הוֹאִיל וְיָכוֹל לְמַתְּקָן עַל יְדֵי הָאוּר.

Rather, say as follows: Actually, the baraita is not referring to the fruit of palms that never fully ripen, but rather to the fruit of palms that eventually ripen. However, the halakha pertaining to the ritual impurity of foods is different, and an item’s status as a food with regard to the impurity of foods cannot be brought as proof of its status as a food with regard to an eiruv . As Rabbi Yoḥanan said elsewhere: Since they are fit to be sweetened through cooking with fire, they are regarded as food for the purpose of tithes; here too, we can say: Since they are fit to be sweetened through cooking with fire, unripe dates are fit to contract the impurity of foods. However, with regard to an eiruv , we require food that is ready for consumption, and something that can be prepared to become food is not sufficient.

Segment 11

וְהֵיכָא אִתְּמַר דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן? אַהָא דְּתַנְיָא: שְׁקֵדִים הַמָּרִים — קְטַנִּים חַיָּיבִין, גְּדוֹלִים פְּטוּרִין. מְתוּקִים — גְּדוֹלִים חַיָּיבִין, קְטַנִּים פְּטוּרִין. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם אָבִיו: זֶה וָזֶה, לִפְטוּר. וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: זֶה וָזֶה לְחִיּוּב. אָמַר רַבִּי אִילְעָא: הוֹרָה רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בְּצִיפּוֹרִי כְּדִבְרֵי הָאוֹמֵר זֶה וְזֶה לִפְטוּר.

The Gemara asks: Where was this comment of Rabbi Yoḥanan originally stated? The Gemara answers: It was stated on this ruling, which was taught in a baraita : One is obligated to tithe bitter almonds while they are still small and green, as they are fit to be eaten while still undeveloped. When they are large, however, one is exempt from tithing them, as they are no longer edible. One is obligated to tithe sweet, large almonds, whereas one is exempt from tithing small ones, as they have not yet fully ripened. Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yosei, said in the name of his father: One is exempt from tithing both this and that, large and small bitter almonds. And some say that he said in the name of his father: One is obligated to tithe both this and that. Rabbi Ila said: Rabbi Ḥanina ruled in Tzippori in accordance with the one who said: One is exempt from tithing both this and that.

Segment 12

וּלְמַאן דְּאָמַר זֶה וָזֶה לְחִיּוּב, לְמַאי חֲזֵי? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הוֹאִיל וְרָאוּי לְמַתְּקָן עַל יְדֵי הָאוּר.

The Gemara asks: According to the view of the one who said one is obligated to tithe both this and that, for what are large, bitter almonds suitable? Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Since these almonds are fit to be sweetened and made edible through cooking with fire, they are regarded as food for the purpose of tithes.

Segment 13

אָמַר מָר, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: קוֹר הֲרֵי הוּא כְּעֵץ לְכׇל דְּבָרָיו, אֶלָּא שֶׁנִּיקָּח בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר. הַיְינוּ תַּנָּא קַמָּא!

The Gemara further examines the baraita cited earlier. The Master said that Rabbi Yehuda says: Heart of palm is like a tree in all its legal aspects, except that it may be bought with second- tithe money. The Gemara asks: Rabbi Yehuda’s opinion is identical to that of the first tanna .

Segment 14

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: שְׁלָקוֹ וְטִגְּנוֹ אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ.

Abaye said: There is a practical difference between them in a case where one boiled or fried the heart of palm. According to Rabbi Yehuda, it does not contract the ritual impurity of foods even if it was boiled or fried, whereas the first tanna holds that in that case it does contract impurity.

Segment 15

מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רָבָא: מִי אִיכָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר שְׁלָקוֹ וְטִגְּנוֹ לָא? וְהָתַנְיָא: הָעוֹר וְהַשִּׁילְיָא אֵין מִטַּמְּאִין טוּמְאַת אוֹכָלִין. עוֹר שֶׁשְּׁלָקוֹ, וְשִׁילְיָא שֶׁחִישֵּׁב עָלֶיהָ — מִטַּמְּאִין טוּמְאַת אוֹכָלִין!

Rava strongly objects to this: Is there really anyone who said that even if one boiled or fried it, it does not contract the ritual impurity of foods? Wasn’t it taught in a baraita : The hide and the placenta of an animal, which people do not typically eat, do not contract the ritual impurity of foods; however, a hide that one boiled until it became edible and a placenta that one intended to eat do contract the impurity of foods? This indicates that even something not originally fit to be eaten contracts the impurity of foods once it has been boiled or fried, and the same should apply to heart of palm according to all opinions.

Segment 16

אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ בְּרָכָה. דְּאִתְּמַר: קוֹר — רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר: ״בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה״, וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: ״שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיֶה בִּדְבָרוֹ״.

Rather, Rava said: There is a practical difference between them with regard to the blessing that must be recited prior to eating, for it was stated that the amora’im disagreed about the blessing recited over heart of palm: Rav Yehuda said the appropriate blessing is: Who creates the fruit of the ground. And Shmuel said the appropriate blessing is: By Whose word all things came to be.

Segment 17

רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר: ״בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה״ — אוּכְלָא הוּא. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: ״שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיֶה בִּדְבָרוֹ״ — כֵּיוָן שֶׁסּוֹפוֹ לְהַקְשׁוֹת, לָא מְבָרְכִינַן עִילָּוֵיהּ ״בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה״.

The Gemara explains the two opinions: Rav Yehuda said the appropriate blessing is: Who creates the fruit of the ground, as it is food. Since heart of palm is edible it is called a fruit, and we recite a blessing over it in the manner of all fruits. And Shmuel said the appropriate blessing is: By Whose word all things came to be. Since it will eventually harden and become like an inedible tree, we do not recite over it the blessing: Who creates the fruit of the ground, as it will eventually lose the status of a fruit.

Segment 18

אֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁמוּאֵל לְרַב יְהוּדָה: שִׁינָּנָא, כְּווֹתָיךְ מִסְתַּבְּרָא, דְּהָא צְנוֹן שֶׁסּוֹפוֹ לְהַקְשׁוֹת, וּמְבָרְכִינַן עֲלֵיהּ ״בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה״.

Shmuel said to Rav Yehuda: Shinnana , your opinion is reasonable, as a radish will eventually harden, and yet we recite over it the blessing: Who creates the fruit of the ground.

Segment 19

וְלָא הִיא, צְנוֹן נָטְעִי אִינָשֵׁי אַדַּעְתָּא דְפוּגְלָא, דִּיקְלָא — לָא נָטְעִי אִינָשֵׁי אַדַּעְתָּא דְקוֹרָא. וְאַף עַל גַּב דְּקַלְּסֵיהּ שְׁמוּאֵל לְרַב יְהוּדָה, הִלְכְתָא כְּווֹתֵיהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל.

The Gemara comments: But it is not so, because people plant radish with the intention of eating it while it is soft; but people do not plant palm trees with the intention of eating heart of palm. Therefore, heart of palm is not considered the fruit of the palm, but rather food extracted from it, over which only the following blessing should be recited: By Whose word all things came to be. And the Gemara concludes: Even though Shmuel praised Rav Yehuda, the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Shmuel.

Segment 20

גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: כְּשׁוּת וַחֲזִיז מְעָרְבִין בָּהֶן, וּמְבָרְכִין עֲלֵיהֶם ״בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה״. כְּשׁוּת בְּכַמָּה? כִּדְאָמַר רַב יְחִיאֵל: כִּמְלֹא הַיָּד — הָכָא נָמֵי כִּמְלֹא הַיָּד.

The Gemara now examines the matter itself cited in the previous discussion in the name of Rav. Rav Yehuda said that Rav said with regard to dodder and green grain: One may establish an eiruv with them, and when eating them one recites the blessing: Who creates the fruit of the ground. The Gemara asks: How much dodder must be used to establish an eiruv ? The Gemara answers: As Rav Yeḥiel said with regard to a similar issue: A handful. Here, too, the measure is a handful.

Segment 21

חֲזִיז בְּכַמָּה? אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר טוֹבִיָּה בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר רַב: כִּמְלֹא אוּזִילְתָּא דְאִיכָּרֵי.

Similarly, how much green grain is needed to establish an eiruv ? Rabba bar Toviya bar Yitzḥak said that Rav said: A full farmers’ bundle.

Segment 22

אֲמַר רַב חִלְקִיָּה בַּר טוֹבִיָּה: מְעָרְבִין בְּקִלְיָא. בְּקִלְיָא סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ?! אֶלָּא בְּיַרְקָא דְקִלְיָא, וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַב יְחִיאֵל: כִּמְלֹא הַיָּד.

Rav Ḥilkiya bar Toviya said: One may establish an eiruv with glasswort. The Gemara expresses astonishment: Does it enter your mind that one may establish an eiruv with glasswort? People do not eat glasswort. Rather, one may establish an eiruv with the herb from whose ashes glasswort is prepared, as it is fit for human consumption before it is burnt. And how much of it is needed to establish an eiruv ? Rav Yeḥiel said: A handful.

Segment 23

רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה נְפַק לְקִירְיָיתָא, בְּעוֹ מִינֵּיהּ: מַהוּ לְעָרֵב בְּפוֹלִין לַחִין? לָא הֲוָה בִּידֵיהּ. כִּי אֲתָא לְבֵי מִדְרְשָׁא, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: מְעָרְבִין בְּפוֹלִין לַחִין. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַב יְחִיאֵל: כִּמְלֹא הַיָּד.

The Gemara relates that Rabbi Yirmeya once went out to visit certain villages, and the villagers asked him: What is the halakha with regard to establishing an eiruv with moist beans? He did not have an answer for them. When he came to the study hall, they said to him: This is what Rabbi Yannai said: One may establish an eiruv with moist beans. And how much is needed for that purpose? Rav Yeḥiel said: A handful.

Segment 24

אָמַר רַב הַמְנוּנָא: מְעָרְבִין בִּתְרָדִין חַיִּין. אִינִי? וְהָאָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: סִילְקָא חַיָּיא קָטֵיל גַּבְרָא חַיָּיא!

Rav Hamnuna said: One may also establish an eiruv with raw beets. The Gemara raises a difficulty: Is that so? Didn’t Rav Ḥisda say: Raw beet kills a healthy person, which indicates that beets are unhealthy and should therefore be unfit for establishing an eiruv ?

Eruvin 28b

Eruvin 28b

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