Succah 13a

סוכה י״ג ע״א

Sukkah 13a

Learn Succah 13a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Valid סכך materials, natural versus tied bundles, marsh מרור, and how many items make a binding (אגד)

Overview

This amud discusses which plants may be used as סכך, and when tied plants count as a forbidden bundle. It opens with a reason from the previous page: a material that makes a person leave the סוכה, for example because it smells bad, cannot be used. אביי applies this reasoning to thorns and shrubs. He allows thorns but forbids shrubs, because their falling leaves drive people out. רב and רבינא בר שילא allow palm-tree and reed offshoots, which grow joined together. They give two reasons: a binding made by Heaven is not a binding, and a single tie on something already joined is not a binding either. A ברייתא supports the ruling on reeds once its wording is corrected. In a side discussion, רבינא בר שילא rules that marsh bitter herbs are valid for מרור on פסח. אביי and רבא each defend this against a ברייתא that disqualifies אזוב with an added name. Finally, רב חסדא defines a binding: one item is not a binding, three items are, and two items depend on a מחלוקת between רבי יוסי and the רבנן about the bundle of אזוב. The amud ends with a question about a ברייתא that seems to contradict itself; the answer comes on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. ConclusionClosing reason: foul-smelling materials make a person leave
2. Statementרב חנן בר רבא permits thorns and shrubs
3. Statementאביי permits thorns but not shrubs
4. QuestionWhy are shrubs not allowed?
5. ResponseShrubs drop their leaves, so a person will leave
6. Statementרב permits the offshoot of a palm tree
7. ResolutionA natural binding is not a binding
8. ResolutionAdding one tie does not make a bundle
9. Statementרבינא בר שילא permits offshoots of reeds
10. ResolutionReeds joined naturally are not a bundle
11. ResolutionAn added single tie on reeds still does not make a bundle
12. ProofA ברייתא supports the ruling on reed offshoots
13. ChallengeWhy would the ברייתא need to say reeds are valid?
14. ResolutionReread the ברייתא as 'offshoots of reeds'
15. StatementMarsh bitter herbs are valid for מרור on פסח
16. ChallengeChallenge from the rule that אזוב with an added name is invalid
17. Resolutionאביי: added names only matter if they existed before מתן תורה
18. Resolutionרבא: the extra name only tells where the plant grows
19. Statementרב חסדא: how many items make a binding
20. ProofThe source: the משנה about the bundle of hyssop
21. ProofFirst guess: רבי יוסי says three is only ideal
22. ChallengeA ברייתא shows רבי יוסי requires three
23. ResolutionReverse the opinions
24. ProofA ברייתא supports the switched view of the רבנן
25. ChallengeThe ברייתא seems to contradict itself about one leftover stem