Rif Eruvin 29b {Eruvin 88a continues ... 89a}

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29b

{Eruvin 88a continues}
Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov says: If a drain is covered four cubits in the public domain, one may pour into it water on the Shabbat.
And the Sages say: Even if a roof or a courtyard be one hundred cubits - one may not pour into the mouth of the drain, but one may pour from roof to roof, and the water flows down into the drain. The courtyard and the portico join together to four cubits.

So also, two deyuta'ot {two rows of two story buildings} opposite each other {on opposite sides of the courtyard}, some of them made a pit and some of them did not make a pit - those who made a pit are permitted, and those who did not make a pit are prohibited.

Gemara:
"If a courtyard is less that four cubits...":
What is the reason?
Rabba said: Because a man is used to using up four se`ah of water daily, and in an area of four cubits he is inclined to spray it,
{Eruvin 88b}
but in one that is less than four cubits he merely pours it out. Thus is he made a trough it is permitted and if not, it is prohibited.
To explain: for he is then like one who pours into the public domain.

Rabbi Zera said: In four cubits the water may be absorbed, but in less than 4 cubits the water cannot be absorbed, but rather exits to the public domain.

What is the distinction between them {Rabba and Rabbi Zera}?
Abaye said: In a courtyard that was long and narrow.
According to Rabba, it would be forbidden, it is forbidden - since it is narrow, he will not spray it.
According to Rabbi Zera, since it is long, the water will be absorbed, and not exit to the public domain.

"And the Sages say: Even if a roof...":
It was taught {tana}: These words only apply to the sunny season, but in the rainy season, he may pour and repeat and need not refrain.
What is the reason? A man desires that the water be absorbed on the spot.
What will they say? That Ploni's gutter was spurting water on Shabbat? All gutters are spurting!

Rav Nachman said: In the rainy season, if a trough is capable of holding two se`ah one may pour in two se`ah {of water}; if one se`ah, one may pour in a se`ah; in the sunny season, if it can hold two se`ah one may pour in two se`ah; if one se`ah, one may not pour in anything at all, as a decree lest he come to pour in two se`ah.
If so, in the rainy season, let us make a decree also {in the case of a trough holding one se`ah}? There, with what are we concerned? If because of {a man's objection to} the spoiling of his courtyard {such that he would wish to dispatch it without delay to the public domain}, behold it is already spoiled. And if because, perhaps they will say that the gutter of Ploni spurts forth water on Shabbat - all gutters are spurting.
Abaye said: Therefore, even a kur or even two kur {of water; 1 kur = 30 se`ah} is permitted.

"So also, two deyuta'ot...": Rava said {Eruvin 89a}: This was learnt only in the case in which they did not make an eruv, but if they made an eruv, they are permitted.
But why are they forbidden when they did not make an eruv?
Rav Ashi said: As a decree lest they carry vessels from the house to the courtyard.

END PEREK EIGHT - keitzad mishtatfin