A person may not travel more than 2000 amot (3,049.5 feet or 0.596 mile) beyond the place where he is observing Shabbat (מקום שביתה–makom shevitah). There is a disagreement whether this halakhah is Torah in origin or from divrei sofrim. Divrei sofrim refers to a category of halakhot instituted by the rabbis, but understood by tradition as having a divine imprimatur because prophets were involved in their legislation. The rabbis allowed extending the 2000 amot limit by another 2000 amot by an eruv tekhumim (ערב תחומים) which consists of enough food for two meals at the new limit. By making the eruv tekhumim, the person has changed the place where he is observing Shabbat (מקום שביתה–makom shevitah) and is allowed to walk there.
While teaching us how many apples are required to make a meal, the Gemara teaches us a lesson in humility. One day Rava was feeling exceptionally proud of himself. “Rava once said when he was in an especially good mood: Behold, I am like the intellectually sharp ben Azzai, who would regularly expound in the markets of Tiberias. I, too, am ready to answer any question posed to me. One of the Sages said to Rava: How many apples are needed to establish an eiruv? Rava said to him: Does one establish an eiruv with apples?” (Sefaria.org translation) Ben Azzai is a tanna who lived during the same time period as Rabbi Akiva. He was renowned for his scholarship and piety. Rava was so proud of himself he said in other words, “Ask me any question and I shall answer it.” When asked how many apples make up and meal for an eruv tekhumim, he said none.
"Immediately the sages question this ruling because everybody knows that apples are fruits and edible. “The other Sage responded: And is it not permissible to establish an eiruv with them? Didn’t we learn in a mishna: All foods combine to disqualify the body of a priest who eats half of a half-loaf of ritually impure food, and to complete the measure of food required for two meals for the purpose of an eiruv, and to complete the measure of an egg-bulk required for a food to be able to contract the ritual impurity of foods? An apple is a kind of food, so it should be included in the items that may be used to establish an eiruv…Rather, it is because it taught: And all foods combine to complete the measure of food required for two meals for the purpose of an eiruv, and to complete the measure of an egg-bulk to contract the ritual impurity of foods; and these apples are also susceptible to the ritual impurity of foods. Therefore, there is clear proof that the mishna is referring to apples as well. Having established that an eiruv may be established with apples, the Gemara returns to the question raised above: How many apples are needed to establish an eiruv? Rav Naḥman said: The minimum measure of apples that must be used for an eiruv is a kav.” (Sefaria.org translation)
I don’t know whether Rava ate humble “apple” pie or not. But I’m reminded of a story, perhaps apocryphal, of my teacher Dr. Rabbi Moshe Zucker. Dr. Zucker had a prodigious memory. When he was a mere lad, he was ready take the tests for semikha. He was told not to be so proud and say he is ready to be tested on the entire Talmud, but only half of it. The story goes that when he was asked how much of the Talmud he was ready to be tested on, he answered that he was ready to be tested on half of the Talmud. The rabbis asked him which half? Moshe answered, “Whatever half you want.” Unlike Rava, you could bet your bottom dollar that Dr. Zucker passed the test with flying colors.
One of the things I know for certain is that I’m not in either Rava’s or Dr. Zucker’s league. I need to remember the lesson in today’s daf. Humility is a much better quality to cultivate them pride. You know the old saying: “Pride goes before the fall.”
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