R. Yossi said: When is this so [that the above amounts are required]? At the beginning of (the making of) the eruv, but with the remnant of the eruv [i.e., with that which fell below the required amount], any amount suffices, for they ordained making an eruv in the courtyards [after they had made a partnership in the mavui] only so that it [the institution of courtyard eruvin] not be forgotten by the children, who do not know about the partnership in the mavui, for which reason we are lenient in this regard. But even though this (the above) is the reason for this ordinance, still, the halachah is not in accordance with R. Yossi in regard to the remnant of the eruv. We do not rule so leniently (as he does)].
Bartenura on Mishnah Eruvin
בשירי העירוב – when it diminished from its quantity.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Eruvin
Introduction
The first part of this mishnah is a continuation of yesterday’s mishnah. The second part explains why the rabbis instituted courtyard eruvin in the first place.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Eruvin
ולא אמרו אלא לערב בחצרות – after they made a partnership in an alleyway, but rather, so that the law of the joining of courtyards not be forgotten by children that do not know that they made a partnership in an alleyway, therefore, we are lenient with it. But even though that the reason that they make an Eruv in the joining of courtyards after they had made a partnership in an alleyway is in order that the law of Eruv would not be forgotten from the children, nevertheless, the Halakha is not according to Rabbi Yossi, concerning what is added on [later] to the Eruv that it is not [part of the Eruv], we are lenient with it so much.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Eruvin
Rabbi Yose says: When does this apply? To the beginnings of the eruv but in the case of the remnants of an eruv even the smallest quantity of food is sufficient, According to Rabbi Yose, the minimum measurement for the eruv provided in yesterday’s mishnah applies only to when the eruv is set up before Shabbat. When one sets up an eruv, it must contain a minimum amount of food. If the eruv is lessened during Shabbat as long as there is a minimum amount that remains, it is still valid.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Eruvin
They said that one should set up an eruv for courtyards only so that the law should not be forgotten by the children. This section is usually interpreted as being independent of the previous section. The mishnah addresses the problem of why both courtyard eruvin and alley partnerships are necessary since the alley is larger, it alone should suffice to allow people to carry within its area. The mishnah explains that since alleys are bigger, children will not notice the food set aside for the alley partnership and will think that it is permitted to carry without an eruv at all. Therefore, the rabbis instituted courtyard eruvin so that children would remember that without an eruv one cannot carry things out of one’s house into the courtyard or alley, nor carry things within those two areas. Some commentators explain that this is why the courtyard eruv can be valid even if there only remains a minute amount of food.
