Soncino English Talmud
Sukkah
Daf 8b
but the square inscribed within that circle is a half.1 But this2 is not correct, for we see that these are not so much bigger. R. Levi said in the name of R. Meir: If the two booths of the potters are one within the other,3 the inner one4 is not valid as a Sukkah,5 and is obliged to have a Mezuzah6 while the outer one7 is valid as a Sukkah,8 and is free from the obligation of a Mezuzah.9 But why should this be so? Why should not the outer one be regarded as the gate-house of the inner one, and10 therefore be obliged to have a Mezuzah? — Because neither [booth] is of a permanent nature. 11 Our Rabbis taught: [Mnemonic,] Ganbak.12 A booth of Gentiles,13 women, cattle or Samaritans and any booth whatever14 is valid, provided that it is covered according to the rule. What is meant by ‘according to the rule’?15 — R. Hisda answered: Provided that [the covering] was made [with the intention of providing] the shade for the Sukkah.16 What does ‘any booth whatever’ include? — It includes the booths [whose mnemonic is] Rakbash,17 as our Rabbis taught: The booth of shepherds, the booth of field-watchers, the booth of city guards, and the booth of orchard-keepers,18 and any booth whatever19 is valid, provided that it is covered according to the rule. What is meant by ‘according to the rule’?20 — R. Hisda answered: Provided [the covering] was made [with the intention of providing] the shade for the Sukkah. What does ‘any booth whatever’ include? — It includes the booths [whose mnemonic] is Ganbak.21 The Tanna of Ganbak22 regards these booths as possessing greater validity23 because they are permanent, and therefore he used the expression, any booth whatever’ to include Rakbash which are not permanent,24 while the Tanna of Rakbash regards the latter as possessing greater validity since they belong to those who are bound [by the commandment of Sukkah]25 and therefore he used the expression, ‘any booth whatever’ to include the Ganbak booths which belong to those who are not bound [by the commandment of Sukkah]. circumscribed square has a perimeter of 24 + 24/3 = 32 cubits, while the inscribed square has a perimeter of approximately: 32/2 = 16 cubits (the measurements prescribed by Rabbi). circumference of the circle is, therefore, bigger than the latter by a half of its perimeter. V. ‘Er., Sonc. ed., p. 533, n. 6. Sukkah, year it is free from the obligation since it is not used as a dwelling. cattle and Samaritans, whose booths are discussed in what follows. would be self-evident. cannot be valid unless it was originally made to serve as a protection from the sun. guards and orchard-keepers. festival.