A Genizah fragment of Bavli Eruvin 54a and 63b-64b

Abstract

The present article is a study of the Genizah fragment containing parts of various sugyot from tractate Eruvin in the Babylonian Talmud. The principal focus is on the peculiarities of the Aramaic sections seen in contrast with the Hebrew parts of the text. The article introduces the ancient Aramaic wording in the fragment, emphasizing the consistent use of Aramaic, the elements of Aramaic grammar, the clarity of the usage and the precision of the linguistic specification. Proceeding along the same lines, the article also considers the relatively rare use of terminology in connection with the name of one of the Tannaim, as well as the use of Hebrew and a particular problem arising in connection with the fragment’s content – an issue which also arises in other versions of the same text.