GLOSS BY ADDING A ‘LISHNA ACHRINA’ ORIGINATING FROM RASHI’S COMMENTARY THAT WAS INTERPOLATED INTO THE PRINTED VERSION OF BAVLI ERUVIN 52B

A comparison between the printed version of the sugya in Bavli Eruvin 52a and other parallel sources reveals an added gloss of a ‘lishna achrina’ (another reading) originating from Rashi’s commentary that was interpolated into the printed version of the Talmudic text. This addition is located at the end of the sugya and has implications regarding the originality of the sugya’s conclusion. The interpolation of this gloss from Rashi’s commentary may have resulted from the inclination to adapt the content of the sugya to the customary halakhic rules as well as from the authority of Rashi’s commentary. The purpose of the article is to examine the evolvement of the ‘lishna achrina’ from Rashi’s commentary, which was added to the sugya, as well as its time, namely, was the ‘lishna achrina’ known to the early commentators and decisors (poskim). Also, to explore Rashi’s explanation for the ‘lishna achrina’ as well as the purpose of its inclusion in the printed version.