Commentary for Eruvin 112:12

אביי אמר משכחת לה נמי במתא דהויא אלפא באלפא תחומין כמה הוו תמניא קרנות כמה הוי שיתסר

For by how much does the area of a square exceed that of a circle? By one quarter [approximately] - Deduct a quarter from the measurements given and there would remain nine [million square cubits];<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The city that was originally assumed to have an area of 2,000 X 2,000 = 4,000,000 sq. cubits, being circular in shape has only an area of 4,000,000 X 3/4 = 3,000,000 sq. cubits approx. The belt of open spaces around it, which was originally assumed to have an area of 12,000,000 sq. cubits would similarly amount to 4,000 (city, 2,000, and open spaces on two of its sides 2,000) by 4,000 X 3/4 (difference between area of sq. and circle) 3,000,000 approx. (area of circular city) . 4,000 X 4,000 X 3/4 - 3,000,000 = 12,000,000 - 3,000,000 = 9,000.000 sq. cubits.');">³⁴</span> and nine [million] represents one quarter of thirty six [million].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The latter figure represents the total area in sq. cubits of the city and the entire stretch of open spaces, fields and vineyards allowed to each levitical city. The shape of the city does not affect this outer area which always extends to a perpendicular distance of 2,000 cubits from it in all directions of the city.');">³⁵</span> Abaye said: This<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That the open space shall represent a quarter of the area of the land allowed around each city of the Levites.');">³⁶</span> is also possible in the case of a town that has an area of a thousand by a thousand cubits For what are its limits?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The stretch of land allowed around it.');">³⁷</span> Eight [million square cubits].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Area of 1,000 by 2,000 cubits on each of its four sides equal to 2,000,000 X 4 = 8,000,000 sq. cubits.');">³⁸</span> What is the area of the corners? Sixteen [million square cubits].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Each corner having an area of 2,000 by 2,000 sq. cubits the area of the four corners amounts to 2,000 X 2,000 X 4 = 16,000,000 sq. cubits.');">³⁹</span>

Explore commentary for Eruvin 112:12. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.