An eruv tekhumim needs to be enough food for two meals. Although yesterday’s daf gave specific numbers or measurements for different kinds of foods. For example, 10 nuts, five peaches, or 2 revi’it of wine would be sufficient produce or drink for the two meals. Today’s daf TB Eruvin 30 discusses whether this measurement is relative to the person’s appetite or a standard that everybody goes by. Summakhos argues that the measurement is relative to the person and Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar argues that there is a standard measurement with two exceptions, the elderly and the sick who have smaller appetites.
“In accordance with whose opinion is the ruling that we learned in the following mishna: There are halakhot with regard to which they stated that measures are all in accordance with the particular person involved, e.g., the handful of flour that a priest scoops out from a meal-offering, and the handfuls of incense the High Priest would offer on Yom Kippur, and one who drinks a cheekful on Yom Kippur, and with regard to the measure of two meals’ worth of nourishment for an eiruv. All these measures are determined by the particular individual involved. In accordance with whose opinion is this halakha? Rabbi Zeira said: It is in accordance with the opinion of Summakhos, who said: We require that which is fit for him, the particular individual, and we do not follow a standard measure.
“The Gemara suggests: Let us say that the aforementioned mishna disagrees with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar. As it was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: One may establish an eiruv for an ill or elderly person with an amount of food that is enough for him for two meals; and if he eats less than the average amount due to his sickness or age, a smaller amount of food is sufficient. But for a glutton we do not require food in an amount that would satisfy him; we measure on the basis of an average meal for the typical person.
“The Gemara answers: When the mishna says that the measure of food for two meals is determined by the particular person involved, interpret that as referring to an ill or elderly person. But with regard to a glutton, we do not determine the measure of food by his standard for a different reason, namely because his opinion is rendered irrelevant by the opinions of all other people. Therefore, there is no reason to be stringent with him and determine the measure according to his particular needs.”
The Shulkhan Arukh decides the halakhah according to Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar. (Orekh Hayyim, 409:7)
No comments:
Post a Comment