Related%20passage for Eruvin 5:5

אֵין מוֹדְדִין אֶלָּא מִן הַמֻּמְחֶה. רִבָּה לְמָקוֹם אֶחָד וּמִעֵט לְמָקוֹם אַחֵר, שׁוֹמְעִין לִמְקוֹם שֶׁרִבָּה. רִבָּה לְאֶחָד וּמִעֵט לְאַחֵר, שׁוֹמְעִין לַמְרֻבֶּה. אֲפִלּוּ עֶבֶד, אֲפִלּוּ שִׁפְחָה, נֶאֱמָנִין לוֹמַר, עַד כָּאן תְּחוּם שַׁבָּת, שֶׁלֹּא אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים אֶת הַדָּבָר לְהַחֲמִיר אֶלָּא לְהָקֵל:

Only a mumcheh [one expert in measurement] takes the measure. [The Gaon explains it as in (Numbers 34:11): "Umachah ('And it shall strike upon') the slope of the sea of Kinereth." That is, the tchum should be measured ab initio from a straight, level place, where there is no need for "boring through."] If it were more in one spot and less in another [i.e., If the signs of one tchum (measurement) projected beyond those in the opposite corner], we follow the greater [and discount the shorter measurement; for (we assume that) he did not stretch the rope tightly enough to begin with. And it is taught in the Tosefta that he must stretch it with all of his might.] If it were more for one and less for another [This is what is meant: If two experts measured it, and it (the measurement) were more for one and less for the other], the greater measurement is followed. Even a bondsman and even a bondswoman are believed to say: "Until here is the tchum Shabbath." For the sages instituted this (the tchum) not for stringency (of regulation) but for lenity.

Explore related%20passage for Eruvin 5:5. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.