Sukkah

If he knows how to slaughter [animals ritually]1 we may eat from [the meat of animals] which he has slaughtered. R. Huna explained: This applies only where an adult was standing by his side [when he performed the act].2 If [a child] is able to eat an olive size of [bread made of] corn,3 one4 must remove oneself a distance of at least four cubits from his excrement or water.5 R. Hisda explained: This applies only where the child is able to consume it6 in the time [which it takes an ordinary adult] to eat half a loaf.7 (R. Hiyya the son of R. Yeba observed, But in the case of an adult [the law8 applies] even if he cannot eat it6 in the time [which it takes a normal person] to eat half a loaf, since it is written, He that increaseth knowledge9 increaseth sorrow.)10 If [a child] can eat an olive of roast meat, the Paschal lamb may be slaughtered on his behalf,11 as it is said, According to the eating of every man.12 R. Judah ruled, [This13 is not allowed] until he is able to pick out an eatable. In what manner? — If he is given a splinter, he throws it away; if he is given a nut, he eats it. CHAPTERIV MISHNAH. [THE CEREMONIALS OF] THE LULAB AND THE WILLOW14 [CONTINUED FOR] SIX [DAYS] OR15 SEVEN; THE [RECITAL OF THE WHOLE] HALLEL16 AND THE REJOICING17 [CONTINUED FOR] EIGHT [DAYS]; [THE DWELLING IN A] SUKKAH AND THE WATER LIBATION18 SEVEN [DAYS]; THE FLUTE PLAYING19 FIVE20 OR SIX [DAYS].21 ‘[THE CEREMONIALS OF] THE LULAB . . . SEVEN’. HOW IS THIS? IF THE FIRST DAY OF THE FESTIVAL FELL ON A SABBATH, THE LULAB [IS CARRIED FOR] SEVEN DAYS; BUT [IF IT FELL] ON ANY OTHER DAY, [IT IS CARRIED ONLY] FOR SIX.22 ‘THE WILLOW . . . SEVEN DAYS’. HOW IS THIS? IF THE SEVENTH DAY OF [THE CEREMONIALS OF] THE WILLOW FELL ON SABBATH, [THEY LAST] SEVEN DAYS; IF IT FELL ON ANY OTHER DAY, [THEY LAST ONLY] SIX.23 HOW WAS [THE CEREMONIAL OF] THE LULAB CARRIED OUT?24 IF THE FIRST DAY OF THE FESTIVAL FELL ON A SABBATH, THEY BROUGHT THEIR LULABS TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT, AND THE ATTENDANTS RECEIVED THEM AND ARRANGED THEM IN ORDER UPON THE PORTICO,25 WHILE THE ELDERS26 LAID THEIRS IN A CHAMBER.27 AND THE PEOPLE WERE INSTRUCTED TO SAY, ‘WHOSOEVER GETS MY LULAB IN HIS HAND, LET IT BE HIS AS A GIFT’.28 ON THE MORROW THEY AROSE BETIMES, AND CAME [TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT] AND THE ATTENDANTS THREW DOWN [THEIR LULABS] BEFORE THEM, AND THEY SNATCHED AT THEM, AND SO THEY USED TO COME TO BLOWS WITH ONE ANOTHER. WHEN THE BETH DIN, HOWEVER, SAW THAT THEY REACHED A STATE OF DANGER, THEY INSTITUTED THAT EACH MAN SHOULD TAKE [HIS LULAB] IN HIS OWN HOME. GEMARA. But why [should it be forbidden to carry the lulab on the Sabbath]?29 It30 involves only a mere movement, why then31 should it not override the Sabbath?32 — Rabbah answered, It33 is a restrictive measure, lest a man take [the lulab] in his hand and go to an expert in order to learn [the rites connected with it] takes him a longer time he is in the same legal position as one who eats the size of half an olive on one day and the size of another half on the following day, in which case the two are not combined to form the prescribed minimum. day of the Festival, three days have to be deducted from the eight in the former case (cf. prev. n.) and only two (the first and the last) in the latter case where Sabbath coincides with the first and last Festival days. Each of the items mentioned in the Mishnah is dealt with at length in the subsequent Mishnahs, where it is fully explained. days was, and on this Sabbath it was not permitted to be carried. means the roof of the portico or the seats under it.