Succah 25a

סוכה כ״ה ע״א

Sukkah 25a

Learn Succah 25a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Succah 25a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Swaying walls as מחיצות; the new משנה on who is exempt from סוכה, and the source for עוסק במצוה פטור מן המצוה

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a discussion from the previous page about whether a wall that sways in the wind can count as a מחיצה. In the case of a tree whose branches hang down, the branches were tied with הוצא ודפנא. The גמרא then asks why carrying there is limited to בית סאתים. It answers that the space is a דירה שתשמישה לאויר, a place used for the open area around it. A second challenge comes from a ברייתא about uncut grain surrounding a reaped field, and it is answered the same way: the stalks were tied. Then a new משנה teaches that שלוחי מצוה, the sick, and their caretakers are exempt from סוכה, and that casual eating may be done outside the סוכה. The גמרא learns the exemption for someone busy with a מצוה from the פסוק of קריאת שמע ('בשבתך… ובלכתך'), which also exempts a חתן who marries a בתולה. It explains that only distraction caused by a מצוה exempts a person, not personal distress like a sunken ship or mourning. Finally, the גמרא suggests the rule comes from a different source: the men who were טמא and missed the קרבן פסח. That discussion continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (20)

1. ChallengeWhy only בית סאתים if the branches are tied?
2. ResolutionA dwelling used for the outside air
3. ProofProof from standing grain around a reaped field
4. RejectionThe stalks were tied too
5. StatementPeople on a מצוה mission are exempt from סוכה
6. StatementThe sick and their caretakers are exempt
7. StatementA casual snack may be eaten outside the סוכה
8. QuestionWhere do we learn that someone busy with a מצוה is exempt?
9. ResponseA ברייתא learns the exemption from the verse of שמע
10. QuestionHow does the verse show this?
11. Responseרב הונא: like a voluntary trip
12. ChallengeMaybe the verse includes a trip for a מצוה
13. ResolutionThe word 'your' means your own personal activity
14. ChallengeThen why is one who marries a widow obligated?
15. ResolutionMarrying a virgin causes worry; marrying a widow does not
16. ChallengeShould every distracted person be exempt?
17. ProofA mourner still has to keep the מצוות
18. ResolutionDistracted by a מצוה versus distracted by a personal matter
19. ChallengeIs the 'busy with a מצוה' rule really learned from here?
20. ProofThe other source: the men who were impure