Succah 38b

סוכה ל״ח ע״ב

Sukkah 38b

Learn Succah 38b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Rules learned from the way הלל was recited, and the principle of שומע כעונה

Overview

Here, the גמרא lists important הלכות learned from the old way of saying הלל. A leader read הלל aloud, and the congregation answered in different ways at different points. Each pattern teaches a rule: answering הללויה, what to do when a גדול or a קטן reads for you, repeating the ראשי פרקים, doubling verses, and שומע כעונה. רבי חייא בר אבא is then asked whether someone who only heard, and said nothing, is יוצא. He answers that all the leading authorities say he is. בר קפרא proves שומע כעונה from יאשיהו, who is called the reader of words that שפן read to him. רב אחא בר יעקב defends that proof from the words 'when you heard'. Finally, רבא rules that 'ברוך הבא בשם ה׳' should be said together without a pause, and רב ספרא's response continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (14)

1. StatementMany strong rules come from the custom of reciting הלל
2. StatementAnswering הללויה is a מצוה
3. StatementWhen an adult reads הלל for you, answer הללויה
4. StatementRepeating the opening verses of sections
5. Proofרב חנן בר רבא says the same rule
6. StatementWhen a child reads הלל for you, repeat every word
7. StatementRepeating a verse twice is allowed
8. StatementOne who hears is like one who says
9. QuestionIs one who only heard, but did not answer, יוצא?
10. ResponseAll the leading teachers said: he is יוצא
11. ProofA פסוק source: יאשיהו is called the reader, though שפן read
12. ChallengeMaybe יאשיהו read it himself afterward
13. ResolutionThe פסוק says 'when you heard,' not 'when you read'
14. StatementSay ברוך הבא בשם ה׳ together, without a break