Responsa for Eruvin 176:11
כולה ר"א בן יעקב היא וחסורי מיחסרא והכי קתני חצר שהיא פחותה מד' אמות אין שופכין לתוכה מים בשבת הא ד' אמות שופכין שר"א בן יעקב אומר ביב הקמור ד' אמות ברה"ר שופכין לתוכו מים בשבת:
Consequently,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Since the former expression was used, from which it follows (cf. supra p. 615, n. 14) that it is not the shape but the actual area that matters or, in other words, that the determining factor is not suitability for spraying but capacity for absorption.');"><sup>27</sup></span> he concluded<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'but not; it may be inferred from it'.');"><sup>28</sup></span> it must represent the view of<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'that it is'.');"><sup>29</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
A. He should fasten a board beneath the seat (within not more than three tefahim below the latrine walls) so that the feces first fall on the board and then into the ditch. Should the board break on the Sabbath, he would still be permitted to use the latrine on that day.
SOURCES: Cr. 178, 179; Pr. 96; L. 349; Mord. Shabb. 376; Hag. Mord. Shabb. 461; Tashbetz 38; Hag. Maim., Shabbat 15, 4; Kol Bo 31 (p. 34a). Cf. Terumat Hadeshen 66.