Study Eruvin folio 23B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
רבי עקיבא היינו תנא קמא!
The Talmud asks: But the view of R' Akiva is the same as that of the first tanna, i.e., R' Yehuda ben Bava, who maintains that in the case of a garden that was not enclosed for the purpose of residence, one is only permitted to carry if the area of the enclosed area is no more than two beit se’a. R' Akiva disagrees only about whether we require a watchman’s booth or a residence place as well, but the two agree with regard to the size of the garden. Therefore, R' Akiva’s stipulation: Provided that it measures not more than 70 cubits and a remainder by 70 cubits and a remainder, is superfluous.
איכא בינייהו דבר מועט. דתניא, רבי יהודה אומר: דבר מועט יש על שבעים אמה ושירים, ולא נתנו חכמים בו שיעור.
The Talmud answers: There is a practical difference between them with regard to a tiny amount. And what is this tiny amount? It is as it was taught in a baraita: R' Yehuda says: It is by a tiny amount that one of the sides of a square measuring two beit se’a exceeds 70 cubits and a remainder, but the rabbis did not give its exact measurement, owing to its small size and because it is impossible to be absolutely precise about the matter.
וכמה שיעור סאתים? כחצר המשכן.
And what is the measure of the area of two beit se’a? It is as large as the courtyard of the Tabernacle, which was 50 cubits by 100 cubits. The first tanna and R' Akiva dispute this issue: The first tanna maintains that the garden may have an area as large as two beit se’a, whereas R' Akiva says that it must not exceed 70 and 2/3rds cubits squared.