How could Tosfos suggest that Rav Yosef holds that the Hecer is for the Bnei Reshus Harabim?
Were that to be true, the Bnei Reshus Harabim would need to be able to see the external side of the Korah, as is clear in Rashi on 8b, D"H Milbar, and with the tefach of Rav Yosef that is underneath the Korah, they are definitely unable to see that Tzad Hachitzon?
And one cannot say that the tefach is not underneath the Korah, rather it is in the Reshus Harabim, because then it should be four tefachim wide, as is clear in Abayey.
Thanks!
Rafi, London
1) The Bnei Reshus ha'Rabim see the external side of the Korah when they are still outside in the public domain. Then, when they come towards the Mavoy and carry directly under the Korah, they already know that there is a Korah there, even though they are not now able to see the Tzad ha'Chitzon.
2) According to Abaye, the four Tefachim are not in Reshus ha'Rabim. Rashi (4b, DH Rachbo) writes that the width of the building that makes the Mavoy less than 20 Amos high is drawn into the length of the Mavoy; it is not outside in the public domain.
Best wishes,
Dovid Bloom