Succah 18a

סוכה י״ח ע״א

Sukkah 18a

Learn Succah 18a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Kosher סכך layouts: boards with פסולת, narrowing air gaps and לבוד in the middle, a broken house roof, a fish digression, and roofing an אכסדרה.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a ברייתא: even רבי מאיר agrees that boards spaced one board-width apart, with kosher פסולת in the gaps, make a כשרה סוכה. The גמרא asks how this works for the view that 4 טפחים of סכך פסול in the middle disqualifies. רב הונא בריה דרב יהושע answers with a סוכה exactly 8 אמות wide, roofed from both walls so that kosher פסולת meets in the center. Next, אביי rules on narrowing a three-טפחים air gap, which works differently in a large סוכה and a small one. רב אחא and רבינא then argue whether לבוד works in the middle of the roof, and the גמרא pushes aside the proof brought for each side. רבי יהודה בר אלעאי teaches two broad rulings, a broken house roof covered with סכך and the אברומא fish, and each one is narrowed when explained. A side discussion explains why אביי permitted the small fish of the בב River, and רבינא says they are forbidden today. Finally, אביי and רבא argue about roofing an אכסדרה without פצימין, and the explanation of אביי's view continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. Statementרבי מאיר agrees when the gaps equal the boards
2. ChallengeWhy is it kosher according to the 4-handbreadth view?
3. ResolutionA סוכה of exactly eight cubits roofed from both sides
4. ConclusionKosher roofing ends up in the center
5. StatementNarrowing a three-handbreadth air gap in a large or small sukkah
6. StatementSide gap versus middle gap: does לבוד work in the middle?
7. QuestionWhat is the reason of the view that לבוד works in the middle?
8. ResponseSupport from a ברייתא about alleyway beams
9. RejectionThe other view: beams are only rabbinic
10. QuestionWhat is the source for the view that rejects לבוד in the middle?
11. ResponseProof from a skylight in a house's roof
12. RejectionLaws of טומאה are a special tradition
13. StatementA house with a broken roof covered with סכך
14. QuestionRequest to explain the ruling
15. ResponseFour אמות of leftover roof is the limit
16. StatementThe small fish called אברומא is permitted
17. Questionרבי ישמעאל asks for a precise explanation
18. ResponseIt depends on the location
19. Statementאביי permits the small fish of the בב River
20. QuestionWhat is the reason?
21. ResponseFirst suggestion: the current is too strong
22. RejectionRejected: we see them survive in fast water
23. ResponseSecond suggestion: the water is too salty
24. RejectionRejected: we see them survive in salt water
25. ConclusionThe real reason: the mud does not let them breed
26. Statementרבינא: today the fish are forbidden
27. StatementDispute about roofing a portico without posts
28. StatementStarting to explain אביי's view