The gemara brings a kohen gadol (r yishamel ben kinchis) who was able to hold an incredible amount for the chafina, such that assuming he was proportionate (no mum) he would have had to be unrealistically tall. This gemara appears to be by way of aggadah- are there any psahtim you are aware of to read this gemara is such a way that r yishmael was not literally holding approximately 6 gallons of volume?
Moshe Rubin, Brooklyn,NY
Sholom Rav.
The Me'iri and other commentaries who discuss how it was possible to fit four Kabin on to the Machtah, which held only three Kabin of coal, and make no suggestion that four Kabin is La'av Davka, evidently take the Shi'ur of four Kabin literally.
Bear in mind that it is not uncommon for the inconceivable to have taken place in earlier times.
For example, the Gemara in Shabbos teaches that Moshe and the Levi'im were ten Amos tall!
Be'Virchas Kol Tuv.
Eliezer Chrysler.