Parallel
סוכה 32:1
Soncino English Talmud · Berean Standard Bible
, thorny, split or curved like a sickle is invalid. If it has become hardened, it is invalid. If it only appears as though it is hardened, it is valid? — R. Papa answered, It refers to where it is like a prong. ‘If it is curved like a sickle’, Raba said, refers only to its front, but towards its back, it is its nature [to be curved]. R. Nahman said, At the sides is the same as at the front, and some say, The same as at its back. Raba further said, A palm-branch of which all the foliage grows on one side is a blemished plant and is invalid. IF ITS LEAVES WERE BROKEN OFF etc. R. Papa said. ‘DETACHED’ means like a broom, ‘SPREAD APART means that they were parted from one another. R. Papa asked, How if the central leaf is split? — Come and hear what R. Johanan said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi: If the central leaf is removed, it is invalid. No doubt if it is split the same law would apply? No, if it is removed the law is different, since it is entirely lacking. Another version is that R. Johanan said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi: If the central leaf is split, it is as though it is removed, and [the lulab] is invalid. R. JUDAH SAYS. It has been taught: R. Judah said in the name of R. Tarfon, ‘Branches of palm-trees’, [means that palm-branches must be] tied up, and if they were separated, one must tie them up. Rabina said to R. Ashi, How do we know that ‘Branches of palm-trees’ refers to the [green sprouts of the] palm-branches? Perhaps it means [branches of] the hardened palm? — It must be [a branch the leaves of which can be] bound up, and this one cannot. But perhaps it means the stalk [itself]? — [Since the word] ‘bound’ is used, it must refer to something which can be separated, but this is permanently bound. But perhaps it means the inflorescence of palms? — Abaye answered, It is written, Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Raba Tosfa'ah said to Rabina, But perhaps it means two branches of palms? — The word is written kappath. Then perhaps it means one? — That would be called kaf. THE THORN-PALMS OF THE IRON MOUNTAIN ARE VALID. Abaye said, They taught it only where the top of one [leaf] reaches the junction of the next, but if the top of the one does not reach the junction of the next, it is invalid. So it has also been taught: The thorn-palms of the iron mountain are invalid. But have we not learnt that they are valid? It may be deduced, therefore, [that the ruling is] in agreement with Abaye. This is conclusive.
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