Sukkah

From this it follows that if the man himself threw them into the water they are [presumably] valid.1 Now why [should that be so]? Did not the Divine Law say, And they shall take of the ashes . . . and he shall put?2 May we not then3 deduce that taking by means of something else is also regarded as a valid ‘taking’. Rabbah further stated, One should not thrust the palm-branch through the bound willow and myrtle4 lest some leaves are detached and thus form an interposition.5 Raba, however, ruled, A thing of the same species does not constitute an interposition. Rabbah further stated, One should not shear the palm-branch while it is in the wreath,4 since loose leaves6 might remain and form an interposition,5 Raba however ruled, A thing of the same species does not constitute an interposition. Rabbah further stated, it is forbidden to smell7 a myrtle branch [used] for the [fulfilment of the] commandment,8 but it is permitted to smell an ethrog [used] for the [fulfilment of the] commandment. What is the reason? — The myrtle — since it is used as perfume, when it is set apart [for ritual purposes] is set apart from [use as a] perfume: the ethrog, however, since it is used as food, when it is set apart [for ritual purposes] it is set apart [only] from [use as] food. Rabbah further stated, If a myrtle is attached to the ground, it may be smelt;9 if an ethrog is attached to the ground, it may not be smelt. What is the reason? — The myrtle, since it is used as a perfume,10 [even] if you permit it [to be smelt], the man would not be tempted to cut it; the ethrog, however, since it is used for food, if you permit it [to be smelt] the man might be tempted11 to cut it.12 Rabbah further stated, The lulab [must be held]13 in the right hand and the ethrog in the left. What is the reason? The former constitutes three commandments14 and the latter only one.15 R. Jeremiah enquired of R. Zerika, Why in the blessing16 do we say only ‘To take the palm-branch’?17 — Because it towers above the others. Then18 why should not one lift up the ethrog and recite the blessing over it? — The reason is, the other answered him, that as a species it naturally towers above all of them. MISHNAH. AND WHERE19 IS [THE LULAB] WAVED? AT THE COMMENCEMENT AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE PSALM, O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD20 AND AT SAVE NOW, WE BESEECH THEE, O LORD.21 THESE ARE THE WORDS OF BETH HILLEL. BETH SHAMMAI SAY, ALSO AT O LORD WE BESEECH THEE, SEND NOW PROSPERITY.22 R. AKIBA STATED, I WATCHED R. GAMALIEL AND R. JOSHUA, AND WHILE ALL THE PEOPLE WERE WAVING THEIR LULABS [AT OTHER VERSES], THEY WAVED THEM ONLY AT SAVE NOW, WE BESEECH THEE, O LORD.22 GEMARA. Who has ever mentioned the name of waving [of the lulab]?23 — It was mentioned previously:24 A lulab which has a length of three handbreadths, sufficient to wave with it, is valid,25 and in reference to this the Mishnah says, AND WHERE IS THE LULAB WAVED? We have learnt elsewhere, As to the Two Loaves26 and the Two Lambs of Pentecost,27 how does one proceed? [The priest] places the two loaves upon the two lambs and places his hands beneath them and waves them forwards and backwards, upwards and downwards, as it is said, Which is waved28 and which is heaved29 up.30 R. Johanan explained, [One waves them] to and fro [in honour of] Him to Whom the four directions belong, and up and down [in acknowledgment of] Him to Whom are Heaven and Earth. In Palestine31 they taught us thus: R. Hama b. ‘Ukba stated in the name of R. Jose son of R. Hanina, He waves them to and fro in order to restrain harmful winds; up and down, in order to restrain harmful dews. R. Jose b. Abin, or, as some say, R. Jose b. Zebila, observed, This implies tube which contained them. the Sabbath. species.