Sukkah

nor make of it an extension1 between two cities, nor can brothers or partners divide it ‘?2 Must we say that it agrees with Rabbi,3 and not with the Rabbis?4 — No! One can even say that it agrees with the Rabbis. The Rabbis say it5 only with regard to a Sukkah which is a temporary abode, but with regard to a house which is a permanent abode, even the Rabbis admit that if it has an area of four cubits square, people dwell therein,6 otherwise, they do not dwell therein. The Master said, ‘It is free from the obligations of Mezuzah, and parapet, does not contract levitical uncleanliness from leprosy, is not irredeemable among the houses of a walled city, nor does one return on its account from the array of war’. What is the reason? — Because the term ‘house’ occurs in all [these commandments].7 ‘Nor need an ‘Erub be prepared for it, nor Shittuf, nor does one place therein an ‘Erub’. What is the reason?-Since it is unsuitable as a dwelling.8 Now the ‘Erub of courtyards is not placed therein, but a Shittuf9 may be placed therein. What is the reason? — Since it is no worse than a courtyard within an alleyway as we have learnt, ‘The ‘Erub of courtyards [are placed] in a courtyard, and the shittuf of an alley in the alley’,10 and the point was raised, [How can it be said that], ‘The ‘Erubs of courtyards [are placed] in a courtyard’? Have we not in fact learnt,11 If a man placed his ‘Erub in a gatehouse12 or in an exedra, or in a gallery, it is no valid ‘Erub,13 and he who dwells therein cannot be a cause of prohibition?14 — Say rather, ‘Erubs of courtyards [are placed] in a house of the courtyard, and the Shittufs of alleys in a courtyard of the alley; and this15 is no worse than a courtyard in an alley. ‘Nor make of it an extension between two cities’. Since it is not regarded even as an outpost.16 What is the reason?- Outposts are suitable for their purpose, 17 but this is unsuitable for anything.18 ‘Nor can brothers or partners divide it’. The reason apparently is that it is not four cubits square, but if it were four cubits square, [presumably] they could divide it.19 But have we not learnt, A courtyard should not be divided unless there be four cubits to each [of the parties]?20 — Say rather, The law of division21 does not apply to it, as [it does in the case of] a courtyard. For R. Huna ruled, ‘A courtyard is divided according to the number of its doors’,22 and R. Hisda said, ‘Four cubits are allowed for each door and the remainder is divided equally’, but this23 applies only to a house which is intended to stand, [and therefore] we allow it a [share in the] courtyard; but as to this [a hovel] which is intended to be demolished, we do not allow it [a share in the] courtyard. If [a Sukkah] was more than twenty cubits high and he diminished its [height] with bolsters and cushions it is not a [valid] diminution, cubits from each other) ‘extends’ the boundaries of each if it was equidistant from both. The two cities are then treated as one, and walking from one to the other and along distances of two thousand cubits from each city in all directions is permitted on the Sabbath. B.B., I, 6. dwells in the house where it is deposited. For the same reason only the resident of a house that is suitable as a dwelling imposes restrictions on his neighbours unless he joined in the ‘Erub. One that is ‘unsuitable may be regarded as non-existent (cf. ‘Er. 49a). open courtyard is valid?