Study Eruvin folio 50A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Rabba said: What is the reason for Rav’s statement that one who declares his intention to establish residence beneath a tree has said nothing at all? It is because the place he designated is not precisely defined. Since he did not establish his residence in one particular location, he did not estab
And some say an alternative version of Rabba’s statement. Rabba said: What is the reason for the statement of Rav? It is Because he maintains: Anything that cannot be accomplished sequentially, due to halakhic or practical considerations, even simultaneously, cannot be accomplished, as one negates
The Talmud asks: What is the practical difference between these two versions of Rabba’s statement? The Talmud answers: There is a practical difference between them with regard to a case where he said: Let residence be acquired for me in 4 cubits of the 8 or more cubits beneath that tree.
According to the one who said that it is because the place he designated is not precisely defined, here too, the place he designated is not precisely defined, as he failed to specify the precise location of the 4 cubits in which to establish his residence.
And according to the one who said it is because anything that cannot be accomplished sequentially even simultaneously it cannot be accomplished, this is considered as if he established his residence in 4 cubits, as here he stated that he is designated only 4 cubits as his place of residence.