Sukkah

THIS IS THE GENERAL RULE: WHATEVER CAN STAND BY ITSELF IF THE TREE WERE TAKEN AWAY IS VALID, AND THEY MAY GO UP INTO IT ON THE FESTIVAL. GEMARA. According to whom is our Mishnah? According to R. Akiba, as it has been taught, He who erects his Sukkah on the deck of a ship, R. Gamaliel declares it invalid and R. Akiba valid.1 It happened with R. Gamaliel and R. Akiba when they were journeying on a ship2 that R. Akiba arose and erected a Sukkah on the deck of the ship. On the morrow the wind blew and tore it away. R. Gamaliel said to him, Akiba, where is thy Sukkah? Abaye said, All are in accord that where it3 is unable to withstand a normal land breeze it is nothing;4 if it can withstand an unusually [strong] land breeze, all are in accord that it is valid. Where do they dispute? Where it can withstand a normal land breeze, but not a normal sea breeze;5 R. Gamaliel is of the opinion that the Sukkah must be a permanent abode, and since it cannot withstand a normal sea breeze, it is nothing,4 while R. Akiba is of the opinion that the Sukkah must be a temporary abode, and since it can withstand a normal land breeze, it is valid. OR ON THE BACK OF A CAMEL etc. According to whom is [this part of] our Mishnah? — According to R. Meir, as it has been taught, If he makes his Sukkah upon the back of an animal, R. Meir declares it valid and R. Judah invalid. What is the reason of R. Judah? — Since Scripture says, Thou shalt keep the feast of Sukkoth for seven days.6 A Sukkah which is suitable for seven days is called a valid Sukkah; if it is unsuitable for seven days it is not called a valid Sukkah.7 And R. Meir? — According to Pentateuchal law this [Sukkah] is also suitable [for seven days], and it is only the Rabbis who decreed against it.8 If he used an animal as a wall of the Sukkah, R. Meir declares it invalid and R. Judah valid, for R. Meir was wont to say, Whatever contains the breath of life can be made neither a wall for a Sukkah, nor a side-post for an alley9 nor boards around wells,10 nor a covering stone for a grave.11 In the name of R. Jose the Galilean they said, Nor may a bill of divorcement be written upon it. What is the reason of R. Meir? — Abaye replied, Lest it die.12 R. Zera replied, Lest it escape.12 Concerning an elephant securely bound, all13 agree [that14 the Sukkah is valid], since even though it die,15 there is still ten [handbreadths height] in its carcase.16 Regarding what then do they dispute? Regarding an elephant which is not bound. According to him17 who says, Lest it die, we do not fear;18 according to him19 who says, We fear lest it escape, we do fear.20 But according to him who says, Lest it die, let us fear also lest it escape? — Rather say, Regarding an elephant which is not bound, all agree [that the Sukkah is invalid]; regarding what do they dispute? Regarding an [ordinary] animal which is bound: According to him who says, Lest it die, we fear [for that],21 according to him who says, Lest it escape, we have no fear.22 But according to him who says, Lest it escape, let us fear lest it die? — Death is not a frequent occurrence.23 But is there not an open space between [the animal's legs]?24 — [It refers to] where he filled it in with branches of palms and bay-trees. But might it not lie down? — [It refers to] where it was tied with cords from above. 25 And according to him who says, Lest it die, is it not tied with cords from above?26 — It may occur that it is made to stand within three [handbreadths] of the covering 27 even if it was used as such. invalid. Sukkah, is invalid. because of the law of labud.