Eruvin 68: The Race to the Courtyard

The case of the need for warm water for a baby to be circumcised, in the absence of an eruv. Abaye explains why neither he nor Rava were up on the home's eruvin, including his own inability to contribute bread. Note that the food of the eruv is not symbolic! Other similar cases - if the mother needs hot water on Shabbat, a non-Jew can heat it for her. But only if she seems incapable of managing otherwise! Though inference from another's physical appearance may not be the best course of action. Renouncing ones rights may (or may not) help the people who need an eruv for the baby who needs warm water. How urgent was that eruv need? Also: Rabban Gamliel and the Sadducee on his alleyway, who naturally doesn't buy into the program. [What's What: Hisurei Mehsera]. How far do we go to say that a Sadducee is or is not akin to a non-Jew?! It seems that there's a race to take possession, as it were, of the court. [What's What: Boethusians] This story of Rabban Gamliel and the alleyway has a few versions, including one where R. Gamliel comes down harsh on the "heretic"...yet not to treat him like a non-Jew.