Sukkah

because of ventilation; but according to the authority who states that they differed only in the case of a small’ Sukkah,1 is it then customary for a queen to sit in a diminutive sukkah?2 — Rabbah b. Adda answered, The ruling was necessary only in the case of a Sukkah constructed with many recesses.3 Is it then customary for a queen to sit in a sukkah with many recesses? — R. Ashi answered: [The ruling] was necessary only in the case of the recesses in it.4 The Rabbis hold the opinion that her sons sat in the proper Sukkah, while she sat in one of the recesses for reasons of modesty, and hence they5 made no remark,6 while R. Judah was of the opinion that her sons sat with her,7 and still they5 made no remark. R. Samuel b. Isaac8 stated, The halachah is that [the Sukkah] must be able to contain his head, the greater part of his body, and his table. R. Abba said to him, In agreement with whom is this ruling? Is it in agreement with Beth Shammai?9 -The other answered him,, According to whom else? Another version: R. Abba said to him, Who holds this opinion?-He answered, ‘Beth Shammai, and10 do not budge from it’. R. Nahman b. Isaac demurred: Whence do we know that Beth Shammai and Beth Hillel are in dispute concerning a small Sukkah? Perhaps their dispute concerns a large Sukkah, as for instance, where a man sat at the entrance of the Sukkah with his table inside the house,11 Beth Shammai holding the opinion that we prohibit it lest he be drawn after the table, while Beth Hillel hold that we do not prohibit it? This, furthermore, may be deduced also [from the wording], for it was stated, ‘If his head and the greater part of his body were within the Sukkah but his table was within the house, Beth Shammai declare it invalid, and Beth Hillel declare it valid;’12 but if it is [as you say]13 it ought to read, [If the Sukkah can] contain, or cannot contain [his head etc.].14 But do they not dispute concerning a small Sukkah? Has it not in fact been taught: [If a Sukkah can] contain his head, the greater part of his body and his table, it is valid. Rabbi says, It must be four cubits square. While in another [Baraitha] it has been taught: Rabbi says, Any Sukkah which is not four cubits square is invalid, while the Sages say, Even if it can contain only his head, and the greater part of his body it is valid. Whereas of ‘his table’ there is no mention. Does not thus15 a contradiction arise between the two [Baraithas]? We must consequently infer therefrom that one is [according to] Beth Shammai, and the other according to Beth Hillel!16 Mar Zutra observed, The wording of this Mishnah12 also proves it,13 since it says: ‘Beth Shammai declare it invalid, and Beth Hillel declare it valid’, and if it were [as you say]17 it ought to read: Beth Shammai say’, He has not fulfilled his obligation while Beth Hillel say that he has.18 But do not the words, ‘He [whose head etc.] were’19 present a difficulty? — The fact is that they differ on two [points], on a small Sukkah and a large one, but the text is defective and is to be read thus: ‘He whose head and the greater part of his body were within the sukkah and his table within the house,20 Beth Shammai say, He has not fulfilled his obligation and Beth Hillel say, He has; and if it is [able to] contain only his head and the major part of his body alone,21 Beth Shammai declare it invalid and Beth Hillel valid.’ Who is the authority for that which our Rabbis taught: ‘A house which is not four cubits square is free from the obligations of Mezuzah22 , and parapet,23 does not contract levitical uncleanliness from leprosy,24 is not irredeemable among the dwelling houses of a walled city,25 nor does one return on its account from the array of war,26 nor need an ‘Erub27 be prepared for it, nor Shittuf,27 nor does one place therein an ‘Erub28 one's table. perpetuity the buyers’, v. Lev. XXV, 30. A structure less than four cubits square is not regarded as a ‘house’, and none of the above-mentioned laws are applicable to it. It may be redeemed at any time, and if it was not redeemed it returns to the seller in the jubilee year.