Friday, September 15, 2006

Daf Yomi - Sukkah 13 - Highlights

1. There is a dispute if one can use branches from a thornbush for s’chach. Abaye maintains that one cannot use such branches because if the leaves fall into the Sukkah, one will be distressed and this will cause him to exit the Sukkah. (13a1)
2. One is allowed to use branches from a young palm tree for s’chach even though they appear like a bundle. The reason for this ruling is because these branches are not deemed to be a man-made bundle. Rather, these bundles are heaven-made. It is permitted as well to tie a branch together in order to attach different parts of the branch. This is allowed because a bundle of one does not constitute a bundle. (13a1)
3. Rav Chisda rules that one will fulfill his obligation of eating maror on Pesach by eating maror of the marsh. The Gemara challenges this ruling because we have learned regarding the laws of burning the Parah Adumah that one can only use eizov, hyssop that bears an ordinary name. One cannot use, however, eizov that has a modifying name. Maror of the marsh should thus not be permitted as the Torah instructs us to eat only ordinary maror. Abaye answers that once can eat maror of the marsh because when the Torah was given, this maror was referred to as ordinary maror. Rava answers that one can eat maror of the marsh because marsh is not deemed to be a modifying name. Rather, the marsh is merely the location where one can find such maror. (13a1-13a2)
4. There is a dispute in the Gemara regarding how many eizov, hyssop stalks are required for the burning of the Parah Adumah. The Gemara discusses further how many stalks would be required from the outset and how many would be required ex post facto. (13a2-13a3-13b1)
5. One cannot use for s’chach the vegetables that can be used for maror on Pesach, as these vegetables are generally very delicate. Although invalid s’chach ordinarily invalidates the Sukkah with four adjoining tefachim, these vegetables will invalidate the Sukkah as if they were an open area, which renders the Sukkah invalid with a space of three tefachim. The reason for this ruling is because these vegetables are very delicate and in all likelihood they will dry up and disintegrate, so they are deemed to be non-existent from the outset. (13b1-13b2)
6. We ordinarily say that the stem of a fruit can transmit tumah to the fruit as long as the stems function as handles. If one harvests grapes for a wine press, the stems do not transmit tumah as they are undesirable. Similarly, if one cuts grain with the intention to use it for s’chach, the grain does not have handles with regard to tumah. The reason for this is because one does not want the kernels and straws to be connected, as the kernels which are susceptible to tumah are not valid to be used as s’chach. (13b2)

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