Sukkah

As was the case of Raba1 b. Hama when he was standing before R. Hisda, [first] they ran over the Gemara together, and then they investigated the reasons. Raba said, Drinking vessels may be kept in the Sukkah,2 eating utensils3 [must be taken] outside the Sukkah.4 Earthenware pitchers and wooden pails [must be kept] outside the Sukkah. A lamp5 [may be kept] within the Sukkah, while some say [that it must be kept] outside the Sukkah; but there is no difference of opinion between them, the former referring to a large Sukkah and the latter to a small one.6 IF RAIN FELL. A Tanna taught, When a porridge of beans7 would become spoilt.8 Abaye was seated before R. Joseph in a Sukkah. The wind blew and brought down chips9 [into the food]. R. Joseph10 said to them, ‘Remove the vessels for me hence’ — Abaye said to him, ‘But have we not learnt, WHEN THE PORRIDGE WOULD BECOME SPOILT?’11 He answered him, ‘For me, who am fastidious, this is like the porridge becoming spoilt’. Our Rabbis taught, If he was eating in the Sukkah, and rain fell, and he left [the Sukkah],12 he need not trouble to return there13 until he has finished his meal. If he was sleeping in the Sukkah and rain fell and he left,14 he need not trouble to return until it is dawn. They asked them, [Is the reading] sheye'or15 or sheye'or?16 — Come and hear, [It has been taught,] ‘Until sheye'or16 and the morning star appear’. [Now17 how are the] two18 [to be reconciled]? Consequently you must read, Until sheye'or19 and the morning star appear.20 THEY PROPOUNDED A PARABLE. TO WHAT CAN THIS BE COMPARED. They asked them, Who POURED upon whom?21 Come and hear: For it has been taught: The master poured the pitcher over his face and said, ‘I have no desire for your service Our Rabbis taught,22 When the sun is in eclipse, it is a bad omen for the whole world. This may be illustrated by a parable. To what can this be compared? To a human being who made a banquet for his servants and put up for them a lamp. When he became wroth with them he said to his servant, ‘Take away the lamp from them, and let them sit in the dark’. It was taught: R. Meir said, Whenever the luminaries are in eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel23 since they are inured to blows.24 This may be compared to a school teacher who comes to school with a strap in his hand. Who becomes apprehensive? He who is accustomed to be daily punished. Our Rabbis taught, When the sun is in eclipse it is a bad omen for idolaters; when the moon is in eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel,23 since Israel reckons by the moon25 and idolaters by the sun.26 If it27 is in eclipse in the east, it is a bad omen for those who dwell in the east; if in the west, it is a bad omen for those who dwell in the west; if in the midst of heaven it is bad omen for the whole world. If its face is red as blood, [it is a sign that] the sword is coming to the world; if it is like sack-cloth,28 the arrows of famine are coming to the world; if it resembles both, the sword and the arrows of famine are coming to the world. If the eclipse is at sunset29 calamity will tarry in its coming; if at dawn, it hastens on its way: but some say the order is to be reversed. And there is no nation which is smitten that its gods are not smitten together with it, as it is said, And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments.30 But when Israel fulfil the will of the Omnipresent, they need have no fear of all these [omens] as it is said, Thus saith the Lord,’ Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the nations are dismayed at them,31 the idolaters will be dismayed, but Israel will not be dismayed. Our Rabbis taught, On account of four things is the sun in eclipse: On account of an Ab Beth din32 who died and was not mourned33 fittingly; on account of a betrothed maiden who cried out aloud in the city and there was none to save her;34 on account of sodomy, and on account of two brothers whose blood was shed at the same time. And on account of four things are the luminaries35 in eclipse: On account of those who perpetrate forgeries, on account of those who give false witness; on account of those who rear small cattle in the land of Israel;36 and on account of those who cut down good trees.37 And on account of four things is the property of householders given into the hands of the government: On account of those who retain in their possession bills which have been paid;38 on account of those who lend money on usury; is not yet dawn, and if it dawned before he awoke he need not be awakened. rejection? it.