Succah 15b

סוכה ט״ו ע״ב

Sukkah 15b

Learn Succah 15b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Using metal skewers (שפודין) and bed boards (ארוכות המטה) as סכך: how equal spaces can still give a kosher סוכה, and whether a broken bed frame counts as a כלי

Overview

This amud finishes the משנה's case of a סוכה roofed with metal skewers (שפודין) that have spaces between them. The גמרא asks how the סוכה can be kosher if the spaces are exactly equal to the skewers. רבי אמי answers that the משנה means the spaces are slightly wider. רבא answers that even equal spaces are enough, because the kosher סכך is laid crosswise over the skewers and so covers more than the gaps. The גמרא then turns to the משנה's next case, roofing with the long boards of a bed. It suggests this supports רבי אמי בר טביומי, who rules that worn-out vessels are פסול as סכך. The proof is pushed off: following רבי חנן in the name of רבי, the משנה may mean a board with two legs still attached, which is still a complete כלי. Finally the גמרא asks where רבי חנן's statement was first taught and begins to quote that משנה, which appears on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (7)

1. ChallengeBut exact equality is possible
2. Resolutionרבי אמי: the spaces are slightly wider
3. Resolutionרבא: lay the kosher roofing across the skewers
4. StatementNext phrase in the משנה: the long boards of a bed
5. ProofSuggested support for רבי אמי בר טביומי: worn vessels are invalid
6. RejectionRejected: the board still has two legs attached
7. QuestionWhere was רבי חנן's statement originally said?