Siman - Eruvin Daf 104
- Scattering salt on the ramp of the mizbeyach
The next Mishnah states, בוזקין מלח על גבי כבש בשביל שלא יחליקו – One may break up salt and scatter it on the ramp of the mizbeyach, so that the Kohanim do not slip on it when it is wet from the rain. Rav Acha brei d’Rava said to Rav Ashi, in what way was the salt scattered? אי דמבטליה קא מוסיף אבנין – If the one who scatters it intends to abandon it there permanently, he is adding to the construction of the mizbeyach, and this is forbidden as Dovid Hamelech stated, הכל בכתב מיד ה' עלי השכיל – It, referring to the specifications within the Beis Hamikdash, is all in writing, as it was elucidated to me from the hand of Hashem. And if he does not intend to abandon the salt permanently, it will constitute a chatzitzah between the feet of the Kohanim and the mizbeyach which will invalidate the avodah?
After an initial answer is rejected, the Gemara explains that the salt was scattered, בהולכת עצים למערכה דלאו עבודה היא – for the purpose of bringing wood up the ramp of the mizbeyach, which is not an avodah.
- Banning sounds of a musical nature
Ulla went to the home of Rav Menasheh on Shabbos and when someone knocked on the door Ulla said the person knocking should have his body desecrated because he was mechallel Shabbos. He was of the opinion that it is forbidden to produce any type of sound on Shabbos, even of a non-musical nature. Rabbah said to Ulla, לא אסרו אלא קול של שיר – The Rabbanon did not ban every type of sound, only sounds of a musical nature.
The Gemara brings several challenges to Rabbah’s opinion but each one is refuted.
- How to remove a sheretz from the Beis Hamikdosh
The last Mishnah of the Masechta states that according to Rebbe Yochanan ben Berokah, שרץ שנמצא במקדש – If a sheretz was found in the Beis Hamikdash, כהן מוציאו בהמיינו שלא לשהות את הטומאה – a Kohen must remove it with his sash so as not to prolong the presence of tumah in the Beis Hamikdosh. Rashi explains that it is better to remove the tumah quickly even though this will make the sash, which is kadosh, tamei. Rebbe Yehudah says, בצבת של עץ שלא לרבות את הטומאה – He must remove it with wooden tongs, so as not to increase the tumah. Rashi explains that Rebbe Yehudah holds that the main consideration is to contain the tumah, therefore, it is better to take time to find wooden tongs to remove the sheretz, because a wooden utensil without a receptacle is not mekabel tumah.
