[Avodah] Caravan (Shayara)

[Micha Berger]

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 05:30:02AM -0500, Galsaba at aol.com wrote:
> I am curious to know how the Gemara learns that a Shayara (Cravan)
> is not less than three. I read it in Bavli Eiruvin 16, and also in the
> Yerushlami where it says "Ein Shayara Pachot Mishlosha" (a caravan is not
> less than three). I was surprise to find no source, while I could find
> source for the phrase "yamim Rabim" (many or several days) = three days,
> and in Ketuvit 75 "Rabim" (many or several) = three, etc.

I have no maqor either, I could just tell you how I rationalized it when
learning the sugyah. And in fact, both with the same explanation.

Lashon yachid = 1

Lashon rabim with no modifier >= 2

So, when you have a word for a group, you can assume the word is being
used because the group is >= 3. IOW, there would be no reason to use
the adjective "rabim" if it were only two. Similarly, if it meant even
two wagons, wouldn't the natural language have been agalos?

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             I have great faith in optimism as a philosophy,
micha at aishdas.org        if only because it offers us the opportunity of
http://www.aishdas.org   self-fulfilling prophecy.
Fax: (270) 514-1507                              - Arthur C. Clarke