Sukkah

since the former refers to where all of it [was peeled], the latter to where only a part was peeled. 1 SPLIT, PERFORATED. ‘Ulla b. Hanina2 learned,3 If it is completely perforated [it is invalid even if the hole is] of the minutest size; if it is not completely perforated [the hole must be of the minimum size] of an issar.4 Raba enquired: If there developed in an ethrog the symptoms [which render an animal] terefah,4 what is the law? — But concerning what does he inquire? If concerning [an ethrog which is] peeled,5 have we not [already] learnt it?6 If concerning one that is split5 have we not learnt it also?6 If concerning one that is perforated.5 have we not learnt it also?6 — The enquiry he raised was concerning [the law] ‘Ulla cited in the name of R. Johanan [who taught], If the [contents of the] lung pour out as from a ladle7 [the animal] is fit to be eaten,8 and Raba explained that this applies only when the arteries are still whole, but if the arteries are rotted [the animal is] terefah. Now what is the ruling here?9 Is it possible that this10 applies to the former case only, where, since the air cannot affect it,11 it could become healthy again,12 but not in the latter case where, since the air can affect it, it inevitably decays, or is it possible that there is no difference? — Come and hear: An ethrog which is swollen, decayed, pickled, boiled, and Ethiopian,13 white or speckled, is invalid. An ethrog which is round as a ball is invalid. And some add if two are grown together. If an ethrog is half-ripe, R. Akiba declares it invalid, and the Sages valid. If it was grown In a mould, so that it has the appearance of another species, it is invalid. At any rate it teaches ‘swollen or decayed’, which implies, does it not, swollen from without or decayed from within?14 No! Both refer to the exterior, and yet there is no discrepancy. The one refers to a case where the ethrog is swollen even although it is not decayed; the other to a case where it was decayed without being swollen. The Master has said, An Ethiopian ethrog is invalid. But has it not been taught, If it is Ethiopian it is valid, if it is like an Ethiopian,15 it is invalid? — Abaye answered, In our Mishnah also we learned of one that is like an Ethiopian. Raba answered, There is no difficulty. The former refers to us,16 the latter to them.17 A half-ripe ethrog, R. Akiba declares invalid, and the Sages declare it valid. Rabbah observed, Both R. Akiba and R. Simeon say the same thing. As to R. Akiba there is the statement just quoted. But what is the ruling of R. Simeon? — That which we have learnt:18 R. Simeon declares ethrogs to be exempt [from tithes] when they are small.19 Said Abaye to him, But perhaps it is not so! R. Akiba may uphold his view only here, since the ethrog must be ‘goodly’, which [an unripe ethrog] is not, but there20 he may hold the opinion of the Rabbis;21 or else, R. Simeon may have maintained his view only here,20 since it is written, Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed,22 [which confines liability to tithe to such fruit only] as men bring forth for sowing,23 but in the present instance he might agree with the Rabbis, were common and valid (Rashi).