Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Bava Batra 199:11

דרך הרבים שש עשרה אמה: תנו רבנן דרך היחיד ארבע אמות דרך מעיר לעיר שמונה אמות

R. Jose, son of R. Hanina, said: The Sages agree with R. Eleazar in [the case of] a path of vineyards. Since it was made [only] for walking it is acquired by walking. When they came before R. Isaac b. Ammi [with the case of one who sold to another a path in vineyards], he said unto them: Give him [a path so wide] that he may carry [through it] a load of twigs and [be able to] turn round.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Without touching the fences of the path. ');"><sup>21</sup></span> This, [however], has been said only [in the case] where [the path] is marked out by walls, but when it is not marked out by walls [the width of the path need be only] so much as [to allow him] to lift up one foot and put down the other.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Since there are no walls, one can carry a load conveniently, however narrow the path may be. ');"><sup>22</sup></span> A PRIVATE PATH&nbsp;… FOUR CUBITS. A Tanna taught: Others say [that the path must be of such a width] as an ass with its load may be able to pass. R. Huna said: The <i>halachah</i> is according to the Others. The Judges of the Exile<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Samuel and Karna. ');"><sup>23</sup></span> say: [The width is to be] two cubits<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Gomed; V, however p. 279, n. 6. Others consider the gomed to be shorter than the cubit by a hand's length and to represent the distance between the elbow and the fingers. ');"><sup>24</sup></span> and a half; and R. Huna said [that] the <i>halachah</i> is according to the Judges of the Exile. Did not R. Huna say [that] the <i>halachah</i> is according to the Others? — Both measurements are identical.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'this and this are the same size.' ');"><sup>25</sup></span> A PUBLIC ROAD … SIXTEEN CUBITS. Our Rabbis taught: A private path<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For one person into his own field. ');"><sup>26</sup></span> [is of the width of] four cubits; a path from one town to another<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Reserved for the sole use of the inhabitants of the two towns. ');"><sup>27</sup></span> [is to have a width of] eight cubits;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To allow two wagons to pass each other. ');"><sup>28</sup></span>

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