Study Eruvin folio 3B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
as that which we learned in the Mishnah, with regard to the unfitness of a sukka higher than 20 cubits, is referring to the interior space of the sukka; and that which we learned in the Mishnah, that a cross beam spanning an alleyway that is more than 20 cubits must be lowered, is referring to the
Rav Pappa said to Rava: A baraita was taught that supports your opinion: If the cross beam spanning the entrance of an alleyway is higher than 20 cubits off the ground, greater than the entrance of the Sanctuary, one must diminish its height. And the space of the entrance of the Sanctuary itself wa
Rav Shimi bar Rav Ashi raised an objection to Rav Pappa from the Tosefta: How precisely would he do it? He places the cross beam from the edge of 20 cubits and below. Apparently, the entire cross beam must be within 20 cubits of the ground, and if any part of it rises above 20 it is unfit.
Rav Pappa replied: Emend the Tosefta and say: From the edge of 20 cubits and above. Rav Shimi retorted: But isn’t it taught: And below? What justification is there to completely reverse the meaning of the Tosefta?
Rava explained that there is no need to emend the language of the baraita, but merely to reinterpret it. The baraita is teaching us the following: The halakha below is like the halakha above. Just as above, with regard to the maximum height of the cross beam, it is the space beneath the cross beam