Bava Basra 014: Width of Sefer Torah

[Mordecai Kornfeld]

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Bava Basra 014: Width of Sefer Torah

Simchah Feldman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> asked:

Shalom,

You wrote in the point-by-point summary charts
(http://www.dafyomi.co.il/bbasra/points/bb-ps-014.htm) that

5. Summation of question: If the circumference of the Sefer Torah is six
Tefachim, the width is (a third of the circumference,) two Tefachim; 
i. Since we roll a Sefer Torah from both ends, the width is even more - how
can it fit in two Tefachim (according to R. Meir)?

(k) Answer: The Sefer Torah in the Aron (only had one pole and) was rolled
to the beginning.
(l) Question: Still, if its width is exactly two Tefachim, it does not fit
properly in two Tefachim!
(m) Answer (Rav Ashi): A small amount of parchment was left unrolled (so
the width of the rolled part was less than two), it rested above the Torah.
 
Now -- on what basis does the gemara assume that the scroll couldn't fit
into 2 tefachim, when in fact if the hekef was 6 then the width must be
6/3.1415... which is actually less than 2, so it would fit in reality. In
fact, a child could even figure this out with a string as a measure. 
 
Please send me your comments.
 
Thank you.
Simcha

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The Kollel replies:

Dear Simcha,

Your question is asked by Tosfos (Eruvin 14a DH veha'Ika). Tosfos does not
give an answer.

The Chasam Sofer in Bava Basra 14b answers that the single pole added the
lacking width.

>From Rav Michel Zilber in his She'urei ha'Yom we can answer as follows:
"How does two fit into two" means that it fits in, but too tightly, and by
leaving a part on top it fits in easily. If so, perhaps even the width
based on "real" Pi is too tight.

For more information on the Torah's approach to Pi see the Kollel's
Insights to the Daf, Eruvin 14:2

All the best,
Reuven Weiner



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