Sukkah

Some put it1 in the form of mutual contradiction: We have learnt: THE THORN-PALMS OF THE IRON MOUNTAIN ARE VALID. But has it not been taught that they are invalid? Abaye answered, There is no difficulty: The one2 refers to where the top of the one leaf reaches the junction of the next; the other3 to where the top of the one does not reach the junction of the other. R. Marion said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi, while others say that Rabbah b. Mari taught in the name of R. Johanan b. Zakkai, There are two palms in the valley of Hinnom,4 between which there ascends smoke, and it is in that connection that we have learnt, THE THORN-PALMS OF THE IRON MOUNTAIN ARE VALID, and it is the entrance to Gehenna. A PALM-BRANCH WHICH IS THREE HANDBREADTHS IN LENGTH. Rab Judah said in the name of Samuel, The [minimum] length of the myrtle and the willow is three [handbreadths], and that of the palm-branch four, so that the palm-branch should extend one handbreadth beyond the myrtle. And R. Parnak said in the name of R. Johanan, The stem5 of the palm-branch should extend a handbreadth beyond the myrtle. Have we not learnt, A PALM-BRANCH WHICH IS THREE HANDBREADTHS IN LENGTH, LONG ENOUGH TO WAVE, IS VALID?6 — Read AND LONG ENOUGH TO WAVE;7 and each one8 explains it according to his own view.9 Come and hear: [We have learnt.] The [minimum] length of the myrtle and the willow is three [handbreadths], and that of the palm-branch four. Surely [this means, does it not,] inclusive of the leaves?10 — No, exclusive of the leaves. [To turn to] the main text: The [minimum] length of the myrtle and the willow is three [handbreadths], and that of the palm-branch four. R. Tarfon says, A cubit11 consisting of five handbreadths.12 Raba said, May R. Tarfon's Master forgive him [for this absurd statement]! We cannot find a valid myrtle three [handbreadths] long, would one of five handbreadths be required?13 When R. Dimi came14 he explained. [R. Tarfon meant thus]: Make a cubit which has [normally] six handbreadths, into five.15 Deduct from these the three for the myrtle and the remainder is for the palm-branch. How much then16 is it?17 Three and three fifths?18 Do not then two statements of Samuel contradict one another, for here Rab Judah says in the name of Samuel, The [minimum] length of the myrtle and the willow is three [normal handbreadths], and elsewhere R. Huna said in the name of Samuel that the halachah is as R. Tarfon?19 — [Samuel] was not precise.20 But do we not say that one is not precise only when [this results in] a restriction [of the law] but not when [it results in] a relaxation of it?21 When Rabin came,22 he explained: [R. Tarfon meant thus]: Make a cubit of five normal handbreadths into one of six handbreadths. Deduct of these three for the myrtle, and the remainder is for the palm-branch. But how much16 is it?23 Two and a half.24 Is there not ‘then a discrepancy between [the two statements of] Samuel?25 — [The answer is that] he was not precise, and in this case his lack of precision26 results in a restriction [of the law], since R. Huna said in the name of Samuel that the halachah is as R. Tarfon.27 MISHNAH. A STOLEN OR WITHERED MYRTLE IS NOT VALID, ONE OF AN ASHERAH OR OF A CONDEMNED CITY IS INVALID. IF ITS TIP WAS BROKEN OFF, OR ITS LEAVES WERE SEVERED, OR IF ITS BERRIES WERE MORE NUMEROUS THAN ITS LEAVES, IT IS INVALID, BUT IF HE DIMINISHED THEIR NUMBER IT IS VALID. ONE MAY NOT, HOWEVER, DIMINISH THEM ON THE FESTIVAL. GEMARA. Our Rabbis taught, ‘Boughs of a thick tree’28 [means] [that kind of tree] whose branches completely cover its trunk. Now what [tree] is this? Obviously you must say that it is the myrtle. But perhaps it is the olive?29 — It must be wreathed,30 which [the olive] is not. But perhaps it is the plane tree?31 — It is required that the branches shall cover its trunk, which is not the case [with the plane tree]. But perhaps it is the oleander?32 Abaye said, ‘Its33 ways34 are the ways of pleasantness’,35 and [with the oleander] this is not the case.36 Raba expressed [the same idea] from the following verse, Therefore love ye truth and peace.37 Our Rabbis taught, [That plant whose leaves are] shaped like a plait, and resemble a chain, is the myrtle. R. Eliezer b. Jacob said ‘The boughs of a thick tree’28 [means] a tree the taste of whose wood and whose fruit is similar: Say, then, it is the myrtle. A Tanna taught, A tree which is ‘aboth38 is valid, and which is not ‘aboth is not valid. What constitutes ‘aboth? — Rab Judah said, When three leaves grow out of one nest.39 R. Kahana said, Even [if they only grow in] twos and ones.40 R. Aha the son of Raba sought to obtain41 one [whose leaves grew] in twos and ones, since R. Kahana said [that such are valid]. Mar b. Amemar said to R. Ashi, ‘My father used to call that42 the wild myrtle’. Our Rabbis taught, If the larger part of its43 leaves fell off44 and the lesser part remained, it is valid, provided that its wreath-work45 remains. But is not this self-contradictory? You said that if the larger part of its leaves fell off44 it is valid and then it is stated, ‘provided that its wreath-work remains’. But since two [of the three leaves] have fallen off, how is it possible to have a wreathwork? — Abaye said, It is possible instead of one sixth. [I.e., R. Dimi reported that R. Tarfon said vntc and not vnt, cf. p. 142, n. 8.] three handbreadths of the myrtle, therefore, equal (3 X 5/6 = 15/6 =) 2 1/2 normal handbreadths, leaving 2 1/2 for the extending portion of the palm-branch.