The Mishnah describes two towns, a large one and small one,
situated within each’s Sabbath boundary. But because the inhabitants of a large
town how the limits of their town as part of their boundary, there are
circumstances where they can travel throughout the small town, but the small
town inhabitant can only travel to the extent of the Sabbath boundary which
could terminate anywhere – even in the middle of the large town.
This gets into some two town rivalries, which might get a
bit uncivilized. Having previously ruled that:
R. Joseph citing Rami b. Abba who
had it from R. Huna ruled: If a town was situated on the edge of a ravine, and
there was a barrier four cubits in height in front of it, its Sabbath limit is
measured from the edge of the ravine, otherwise measuring must begin from the
door of every inhabitant's house.
Rabbi permitted the inhabitants of
Gader to go down (on the Sabbath) to Hamethan but did not allow the inhabitants
of Hamethan to go up to Gader. Now what could have been the reason? Obviously,
that the former did put up a barrier while the latter did not put up a barrier.
Ok, this might be a legal explanation. But maybe there is
more:
When R. Dimi came (from Palestine)
he explained: The people of Gader used to molest the people of Hamethan, and
‘permitted’ meant ordained’.
Ah, now we have a more complicated relationship! Still:
Then why should Sabbath be
different from other days? — Because intoxication is not uncommon on such a
day.
Sure! Blame it on the drink.
Would they (Gader) not molest them
(Hamethan) when they come there? (to Hamethan) — No; a dog in a strange town does
not bark for seven years.
Nice expression.
Now then, might not the people of
Hamethan molest those of Gader? — No; they (Gader) were not so submissive as
all that.
And would defend themselves. This feels like two towns with
rival football teams! Go Gaders! (Hamethan better come up with a better team
name. “Hamethan Hams” just isn’t going to work.)
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