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Sukkah 25

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Summary

Those on their way to perform a mitzva are exempt from sukkah as one involved in performing a mitzva is exempt from other mitzvot. This principle is derived from verses of Shema – how? A groom is exempt from shema as he is preoccupied. Is anyone who is preoccupied with something exempt from shema? Why not? How is the groom unique? The gemara questions why the principle of one who is involved in a mitzva is exempt from another mitzva is not learned out from the verses regarding those who were impure when the Pesach sacrifice was meant to be brought in the desert? In the end, it seems both verses are necessary to teach this principle – why? A mourner is obligated in all mitzvot except tefillin on the first day – why? A mourner is obligated in sukkah. Why was it necessary to teach this? A groom and his wedding party are exempt from sukakh – why?

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Sukkah 25

אֶלָּא בֵּית סָאתַיִם!

only within an area of two beit se’a, the area necessary to grow two se’a of produce? Two beit se’a was the area of the Tabernacle courtyard; it is also the area within which the Sages permitted one to carry on Shabbat in a case where there are partitions but the area was not originally enclosed for the purpose of residence. If one tied the foliage to prevent its swaying in the wind, he clearly established the partition for residence, and there should be no limits on the area in which he may carry.

מִשּׁוּם דְּהָוֵי דִּירָה שֶׁתַּשְׁמִישֶׁיהָ לַאֲוִיר, וְכׇל דִּירָה שֶׁתַּשְׁמִישֶׁיהָ לַאֲוִיר אֵין מְטַלְטְלִין בּוֹ אֶלָּא סָאתַיִם.

The Gemara answers: The reason that it is permitted to carry only if the enclosed area is less than this size is because it is a residence whose uses are for the open air beyond it, i.e., it is used by guards who are watching the fields beyond it rather than as an independent residence. And the halakha with regard to any residence whose uses are for the open air beyond it is that one may carry in it only if its area is no larger than two beit se’a.

תָּא שְׁמַע: שָׁבַת בְּתֵל שֶׁהוּא גָּבוֹהַּ עֲשָׂרָה, וְהוּא מֵאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת עַד בֵּית סָאתַיִם, וְכֵן בְּנֶקַע שֶׁהוּא עָמוֹק עֲשָׂרָה, וְהוּא מֵאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת עַד בֵּית סָאתַיִם, וְכֵן קָמָה קְצוּרָה וְשִׁבּוֹלוֹת מַקִּיפוֹת אוֹתָהּ — מְהַלֵּךְ אֶת כּוּלָּהּ וְחוּצָה לָהּ אַלְפַּיִם אַמָּה. אַף עַל גַּב דְּקָאָזֵיל וְאָתֵי! הָתָם נָמֵי, דְּעָבֵיד לֵיהּ בְּהוּצָא וְדַפְנָא.

Come and hear proof from another source: With regard to one who established his Shabbat residence on a mound that is ten handbreadths high and its area is anywhere from four cubits to two beit se’a; and similarly, with regard to one who established his Shabbat residence in a natural cavity of a rock that is ten handbreadths deep and its area is anywhere from four cubits to two beit se’a; and similarly, with regard to one who established his Shabbat residence in a field of reaped grain, and rows of stalks ten handbreadths high that have not been reaped surround it, serving as a partition enclosing the reaped area, he may walk in the entire enclosed area and outside it an additional two thousand cubits. Apparently, the stalks are a fit partition although they sway back and forth in the wind. The Gemara refutes this proof: There, too, it is a fit partition due to the fact that he established the partition by tying it with hard palm leaves and laurel leaves.

מַתְנִי׳ שְׁלוּחֵי מִצְוָה — פְּטוּרִין מִן הַסּוּכָּה. חוֹלִין וּמְשַׁמְּשֵׁיהֶן — פְּטוּרִין מִן הַסּוּכָּה. אוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין עֲרַאי חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה.

MISHNA: Those on the path to perform a mitzva are exempt from the mitzva of sukka. The ill and their caretakers are exempt from the mitzva of sukka. One may eat and drink in the framework of a casual meal outside the sukka.

גְּמָ׳ מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ״ — פְּרָט לְעוֹסֵק בְּמִצְוָה, ״וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ״ — פְּרָט לְחָתָן. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: הַכּוֹנֵס אֶת הַבְּתוּלָה — פָּטוּר, וְאֶת הָאַלְמָנָה — חַיָּיב.

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived that one who is performing a mitzva is exempt from the mitzva of sukka? The Sages taught in a baraita that it is written in the Torah that one recites Shema at the following times: “When you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). The Sages interpret: “When you sit in your house,” to the exclusion of one who is engaged in the performance of a mitzva, who is not sitting at home; “and when you walk by the way,” to the exclusion of a groom, who is preoccupied with his mitzva of consummating the marriage and is not walking along the way. The baraita adds that from here the Sages stated: One who marries a virgin is exempt from reciting Shema on his wedding night, and one who marries a widow is obligated.

מַאי מַשְׁמַע? אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: כְּדֶרֶךְ. מָה דֶּרֶךְ רְשׁוּת, אַף כֹּל רְשׁוּת, לְאַפּוֹקֵי הַאי דִּבְמִצְוָה עָסוּק.

The Gemara asks: From where may it be inferred in this verse that a groom is exempt from the mitzva of Shema? Rav Huna said: The circumstances when one is obligated to recite Shema are like the circumstances when one walks along the way: Just as the walking by the way described in the verse is voluntary and involves no mitzva, so too, all those obligated to recite Shema are similarly engaged in voluntary activities, to the exclusion of this groom, who is engaged in the performance of a mitzva.

מִי לָא עָסְקִינַן דְּקָאָזֵיל לִדְבַר מִצְוָה, וְקָא אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא לִיקְרֵי! אִם כֵּן לֵימָא קְרָא ״בְּשֶׁבֶת וּבְלֶכֶת״, מַאי ״בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ״ ״וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ״ — בְּלֶכֶת דִּידָךְ הוּא דְּמִיחַיְּיבַתְּ, הָא בְּלֶכֶת דְּמִצְוָה — פְּטִירַתְּ.

The Gemara asks: The verse does not specify the way along which one is walking. Are we not dealing with one who is walking along the way for a matter of a mitzva, and nevertheless, the Merciful One says to recite Shema? Apparently, one is obligated to do so even if he set out to perform a mitzva. The Gemara answers: If it is so that the intention was to obligate even those who are engaged in performance of a mitzva, let the verse state: When sitting and when walking. What is the meaning of: “When you sit…and when you walk”? It comes to underscore: It is in your walking, undertaken for personal reasons and of one’s own volition, that you are obligated to recite Shema; in walking with the objective of performing a mitzva, you are exempt from reciting Shema.

אִי הָכִי, אֲפִילּוּ כּוֹנֵס אֶת הָאַלְמָנָה נָמֵי? כּוֹנֵס אֶת הַבְּתוּלָה טְרִיד, כּוֹנֵס אַלְמָנָה לָא טְרִיד.

The Gemara asks: If so, even one who marries a widow should also be exempt, as he too is engaged in the performance of a mitzva. That, however, contradicts the baraita. The Gemara responds that there is a distinction between one marrying a virgin and one marrying a widow. One who marries a virgin is preoccupied by his concern lest he discover that his bride is not a virgin, while one who marries a widow is not preoccupied.

וְכׇל הֵיכָא דִּטְרִיד, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּפָטוּר?! אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, טָבְעָה סְפִינָתוֹ בַּיָּם — דִּטְרִיד, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּפָטוּר?! וְכִי תֵּימָא הָכִי נָמֵי, וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: אָבֵל חַיָּיב בְּכׇל הַמִּצְוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בַּתּוֹרָה חוּץ מִן הַתְּפִילִּין, שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן ״פְּאֵר״!

The Gemara asks: And wherever one is preoccupied is he indeed exempt? But if that is so, then one whose ship sank at sea, who is preoccupied, should also be exempt. The Gemara reinforces its question: And if you say that indeed, that is so, didn’t Rabbi Abba bar Zavda say that Rav said: A mourner is obligated in all the mitzvot mentioned in the Torah, including reciting Shema, except for the mitzva to don phylacteries, from which he is exempt, as the term splendor is stated with regard to phylacteries? If a mourner, who is clearly pained and preoccupied, is obligated to recite Shema, then certainly all others who are preoccupied, even one whose ship sank at sea, whose loss was merely monetary (Birkat Hashem), should be obligated. Why, then, is a groom exempted due to his preoccupation and one who lost his property is not?

הָכָא טְרִיד טִירְדָּא דְמִצְוָה, הָתָם טְרִיד טִירְדָּא דִרְשׁוּת.

The Gemara answers: Nevertheless, there is a distinction between the cases. Here, in the case of a groom, he is preoccupied with the preoccupation of a mitzva that he must perform; there, in the case of a ship lost at sea, he is preoccupied with the preoccupation of a voluntary act that he chooses to perform.

וְהָעוֹסֵק בְּמִצְוָה פָּטוּר מִן הַמִּצְוָה מֵהָכָא נָפְקָא? מֵהָתָם נָפְקָא, דְּתַנְיָא: ״וַיְהִי אֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ טְמֵאִים לְנֶפֶשׁ אָדָם וְגוֹ׳״ — אוֹתָם אֲנָשִׁים מִי הָיוּ? נוֹשְׂאֵי אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל יוֹסֵף הָיוּ, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי.

§ The Gemara asks: And is the halakhic principle that one who is engaged in a mitzva is exempt from performing another mitzva derived from here? It is derived from there, as it is taught in a baraita that it is written: “There were certain men who were impure by the corpse of a person and they could not observe the Pesaḥ on that day” (Numbers 9:6). Before proceeding with the discussion, the baraita seeks to clarify with regard to those men who became impure: Who were they? The baraita answers: They were the bearers of Joseph’s coffin, which the Jewish people brought with them in the desert. This is the statement of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: מִישָׁאֵל וְאֶלְצָפָן הָיוּ, שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹסְקִין בְּנָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא. רַבִּי יִצְחָק אוֹמֵר: אִם נוֹשְׂאֵי אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל יוֹסֵף הָיוּ, כְּבָר הָיוּ יְכוֹלִין לִיטָּהֵר. אִם מִישָׁאֵל וְאֶלְצָפָן הָיוּ, יְכוֹלִין הָיוּ לִיטָּהֵר.

Rabbi Akiva says: They were Mishael and Elzaphan, who were engaged in carrying the bodies of Nadav and Avihu after they were burned in the Holy of Holies (see Leviticus 10:4). Rabbi Yitzḥak says: These identifications are inaccurate, because if they were the bearers of Joseph’s coffin, they could have already been purified. They were camped at Sinai sufficient time to become purified in time to sacrifice the Paschal lamb. And if they were Mishael and Elzaphan they could have already been purified, as the Tabernacle was erected on the first of Nisan, which was the eighth day of the inauguration, when the sons of Aaron were burned. More than seven days remained until the eve of Passover on the fourteenth of Nisan.

אֶלָּא, עוֹסְקִין בְּמֵת מִצְוָה הָיוּ שֶׁחָל שְׁבִיעִי שֶׁלָּהֶן לִהְיוֹת בְּעֶרֶב פֶּסַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת הַפֶּסַח בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא״, בְּיוֹם הַהוּא אֵין יְכוֹלִין לַעֲשׂוֹת, הָא לְמָחָר — יְכוֹלִין לַעֲשׂוֹת!

Rather, they were unnamed people who were engaged in tending to a corpse whose burial is a mitzva, i.e., which has no one else available to bury it, and their seventh day of impurity occurred precisely on the eve of Passover, as it is stated: “And they could not observe the Pesaḥ on that day” (Numbers 9:6). The Gemara infers: On that day they could not observe it; on the next day they could observe it. Although they would be purified at nightfall and would then be eligible to partake of the Paschal lamb, at the time of the slaughter and the sprinkling of the blood they were not yet pure. They asked whether the Paschal lamb could be slaughtered on their behalf. Apparently, they were obligated to perform the mitzva of burial of the corpse although it prevented them from fulfilling the mitzva of sacrificing the Paschal lamb, which is a stringent mitzva. This is the source for the principle that one engaged in the performance of a mitzva is exempt from performing another mitzva.

צְרִיכָא, דְּאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן הָתָם — מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא מְטָא זְמַן חִיּוּבָא דְּפֶסַח, אֲבָל הָכָא, דִּמְטָא זְמַן קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע — אֵימָא לָא, צְרִיכָא. וְאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן הָכָא — מִשּׁוּם דְּלֵיכָּא כָּרֵת, אֲבָל הָתָם, דְּאִיכָּא כָּרֵת — אֵימָא לָא, צְרִיכָא.

The Gemara answers: Both sources are necessary. As, if it had taught us there, in the case of impurity imparted by a corpse, the conclusion would have been that the exemption from sacrificing the Paschal lamb is due to the fact that the time of the obligation of the Pesaḥ had not yet arrived when they were obligated to bury the corpse, and therefore they proceeded to fulfill the mitzva that they encountered first. However, here, where the time to recite Shema had already arrived during the wedding, say no, that the groom is not exempt; therefore, it is necessary to teach that the groom is exempt. And if it had taught us here, with regard to Shema, the conclusion would have been that the exemption from Shema is due to the fact that it is not a stringent mitzva, as there is no karet administered to one who fails to fulfill it. However, there, with regard to the Paschal lamb, where there is karet administered to one who fails to observe the Pesaḥ, say that one is not exempt from performing it. Therefore, it is necessary to teach both cases.

גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: אָבֵל חַיָּיב בְּכׇל מִצְוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בַּתּוֹרָה חוּץ מִתְּפִילִּין, שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן ״פְּאֵר״. מִדַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא לִיחֶזְקֵאל ״פְּאֵרְךָ חֲבוֹשׁ עָלֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳״ — אַתְּ הוּא דְּמִיחַיְּיבַתְּ, אֲבָל כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא פְּטִירִי.

§ With regard to the matter itself, Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said: A mourner is obligated in all the mitzvot mentioned in the Torah except for the mitzva to don phylacteries, from which a mourner is exempt, as the term splendor is stated with regard to phylacteries, and it is not proper for a mourner to adorn himself in this manner. This is derived from the fact that the Merciful One said to Ezekiel: “Sigh in silence; make no mourning for the dead, bind your splendor upon you, and put your shoes upon your feet” (Ezekiel 24:17). Ezekiel was commanded to refrain from mourning for his wife in the manner that others do. God said to Ezekiel: You are obligated to don phylacteries even while mourning; however, everyone else is exempt.

וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאַחֲרִיתָהּ כְּיוֹם מָר״.

The Gemara comments: This exemption applies only on the first day of mourning, as it is written: “And I will make it as the mourning for an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day” (Amos 8:10). From this verse it is derived that the primary bitterness of a mourner lasts only one day.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: אָבֵל חַיָּיב בַּסּוּכָּה. פְּשִׁיטָא? מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא: הוֹאִיל וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: מִצְטַעֵר פָּטוּר מִן הַסּוּכָּה — הַאי נָמֵי מִצְטַעֵר הוּא, קָמַשְׁמַע לַן: הָנֵי מִילֵּי צַעֲרָא דְמִמֵּילָא, אֲבָל הָכָא, אִיהוּ הוּא דְּקָא מְצַעַר נַפְשֵׁיהּ, אִיבְּעִי לֵיהּ לְיַתּוֹבֵי דַּעְתֵּיהּ.

On a similar note, Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said: A mourner is obligated in the mitzva of sukka. The Gemara asks: That is obvious; why would he be exempt? The Gemara answers: Lest you say that since Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said that one who is suffering due to his presence in the sukka is exempt from the mitzva of sukka, one could have said that this mourner too is one who is suffering and should be exempt as well. Therefore, he teaches us that the mourner is obligated in the mitzva of sukka. These cases are not similar, since this exemption from sukka applies only with regard to suffering that is caused by the sukka itself, e.g., when one is cold or hot or when the roofing has a foul odor. However, here, in the case of a mourner, where he is causing himself to suffer unrelated to his presence in the sukka, he is required to settle himself and fulfill the mitzva.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: חָתָן וְהַשּׁוֹשְׁבִינִין וְכׇל בְּנֵי הַחוּפָּה — פְּטוּרִין מִן הַסּוּכָּה כׇּל שִׁבְעָה. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּבָעוּ לְמִיחְדֵּי. וְלֵיכְלוּ בַּסּוּכָּה וְלִיחְדּוֹ בַּסּוּכָּה! אֵין שִׂמְחָה אֶלָּא בַּחוּפָּה. וְלֵיכְלוּ בַּסּוּכָּה וְלִיחְדּוֹ בַּחוּפָּה! אֵין שִׂמְחָה אֶלָּא בִּמְקוֹם סְעוּדָה.

§ And Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said: The groom and the groomsmen and all members of the wedding party who participate in the wedding celebration are exempt from the mitzva of sukka for all seven days of the wedding celebration. The Gemara asks: What is the reason that they are exempt? It is because they wish to rejoice. The Gemara asks: And let them eat in the sukka and rejoice in the sukka. The Gemara answers: The celebration of a wedding is only in the wedding home where the newlyweds reside after the marriage ceremony. The Gemara asks: So let them eat in the sukka like everyone else and rejoice in the wedding home. The Gemara answers: There is joy only in the place where there is a meal. Therefore, since the celebration must be in the home of the newlyweds, the meal must also be there.

וְלֶיעְבְּדוּ חוּפָּה בַּסּוּכָּה? אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. וְרָבָא אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם צַעַר חָתָן. מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ? אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ דִּשְׁכִיחִי אִינָשֵׁי דְּנָפְקִי וְעָיְילִי לְהָתָם. לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד — לֵיכָּא. לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מִשּׁוּם צַעַר חָתָן — אִיכָּא.

The Gemara asks: And let them establish the wedding home in the sukka. Abaye said: This may not be done due to the prohibition against seclusion of the bride with a man other than her husband. As the sukka was often established on a rooftop, if the groom went downstairs at any point, the bride could find herself alone in the sukka with a man. And Rava said: The reason is due to the suffering of the groom. Since the sukka is not enclosed on all sides, he will be unable to enjoy privacy with his bride. The Gemara asks: What is the practical difference between them? The Gemara answers: The practical difference between them is in a case where people regularly enter and leave the sukka. According to the one who said that the reason is due to the prohibition against being alone together, there is no room for concern in that case. However, according to the one who said that the reason is due to the suffering of the groom, there is room for concern in that case as well.

אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֲנָא אֲכַלִי בַּסּוּכָּה וַחֲדַי בַּחוּפָּה, וְכׇל שֶׁכֵּן דְּחָדֵי לִיבַּאי דְּקָא עָבֵידְנָא תַּרְתֵּי.

Rabbi Zeira said: I married on the eve of the festival of Sukkot and I ate in the sukka and rejoiced in the wedding home, and all the more so my heart rejoiced as I fulfilled two mitzvot: The mitzva of marriage and the accompanying celebration, and the mitzva of sukka. Nevertheless, he did not require others to do the same.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חָתָן וְהַשּׁוֹשְׁבִינִין וְכׇל בְּנֵי חוּפָּה, פְּטוּרִין מִן הַתְּפִלָּה וּמִן הַתְּפִילִּין, וְחַיָּיבִין בִּקְרִיאַת שְׁמַע.

The Sages taught: The groom and the groomsmen and all the members of the wedding party are exempt from the mitzva of prayer and from the mitzva of phylacteries because they are unable to muster the requisite intent due to the excess of joy and levity; but they are obligated in the mitzva of reciting Shema.

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Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories. 

My Daf journey began in August 2012 after participating in the Siyum Hashas where I was blessed as an “enabler” of others.  Galvanized into my own learning I recited the Hadran on Shas in January 2020 with Rabbanit Michelle. That Siyum was a highlight in my life.  Now, on round two, Daf has become my spiritual anchor to which I attribute manifold blessings.

Rina Goldberg
Rina Goldberg

Englewood NJ, United States

I read Ilana Kurshan’s “If All the Seas Were Ink” which inspired me. Then the Women’s Siyum in Jerusalem in 2020 convinced me, I knew I had to join! I have loved it- it’s been a constant in my life daily, many of the sugiyot connect to our lives. My family and friends all are so supportive. It’s incredible being part of this community and love how diverse it is! I am so excited to learn more!

Shira Jacobowitz
Shira Jacobowitz

Jerusalem, Israel

I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!

Caroline Levison
Caroline Levison

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

I saw an elderly man at the shul kiddush in early March 2020, celebrating the siyyum of masechet brachot which he had been learning with a young yeshiva student. I thought, if he can do it, I can do it! I began to learn masechet Shabbat the next day, Making up masechet brachot myself, which I had missed. I haven’t missed a day since, thanks to the ease of listening to Hadran’s podcast!
Judith Shapiro
Judith Shapiro

Minnesota, United States

What a great experience to learn with Rabbanit Michelle Farber. I began with this cycle in January 2020 and have been comforted by the consistency and energy of this process throughout the isolation period of Covid. Week by week, I feel like I am exploring a treasure chest with sparkling gems and puzzling antiquities. The hunt is exhilarating.

Marian Frankston
Marian Frankston

Pennsylvania, United States

תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.

Vitti Kones
Vitti Kones

מיתר, ישראל

I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!

Khaya Eisenberg
Khaya Eisenberg

Jerusalem, Israel

In January 2020, my teaching partner at IDC suggested we do daf yomi. Thanks to her challenge, I started learning daily from Rabbanit Michelle. It’s a joy to be part of the Hadran community. (It’s also a tikkun: in 7th grade, my best friend and I tied for first place in a citywide gemara exam, but we weren’t invited to the celebration because girls weren’t supposed to be learning gemara).

Sara-Averick-photo-scaled
Sara Averick

Jerusalem, Israel

With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!

Sharon Mink
Sharon Mink

Haifa, Israel

I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.

Medinah Korn
Medinah Korn

בית שמש, Israel

In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!

Beth Kissileff
Beth Kissileff

Pittsburgh, United States

Michelle has been an inspiration for years, but I only really started this cycle after the moving and uplifting siyum in Jerusalem. It’s been an wonderful to learn and relearn the tenets of our religion and to understand how the extraordinary efforts of a band of people to preserve Judaism after the fall of the beit hamikdash is still bearing fruits today. I’m proud to be part of the chain!

Judith Weil
Judith Weil

Raanana, Israel

My Daf journey began in August 2012 after participating in the Siyum Hashas where I was blessed as an “enabler” of others.  Galvanized into my own learning I recited the Hadran on Shas in January 2020 with Rabbanit Michelle. That Siyum was a highlight in my life.  Now, on round two, Daf has become my spiritual anchor to which I attribute manifold blessings.

Rina Goldberg
Rina Goldberg

Englewood NJ, United States

I started learning with rabbis. I needed to know more than the stories. My first teacher to show me “the way of the Talmud” as well as the stories was Samara Schwartz.
Michelle Farber started the new cycle 2 yrs ago and I jumped on for the ride.
I do not look back.

Jenifer Nech
Jenifer Nech

Houston, United States

I started with Ze Kollel in Berlin, directed by Jeremy Borowitz for Hillel Deutschland. We read Masechet Megillah chapter 4 and each participant wrote his commentary on a Sugia that particularly impressed him. I wrote six poems about different Sugiot! Fascinated by the discussions on Talmud I continued to learn with Rabanit Michelle Farber and am currently taking part in the Tikun Olam course.
Yael Merlini
Yael Merlini

Berlin, Germany

Hearing and reading about the siyumim at the completion of the 13 th cycle Daf Yomi asked our shul rabbi about starting the Daf – he directed me to another shiur in town he thought would allow a woman to join, and so I did! Love seeing the sources for the Divrei Torah I’ve been hearing for the past decades of living an observant life and raising 5 children .

Jill Felder
Jill Felder

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

I started learning at the beginning of the cycle after a friend persuaded me that it would be right up my alley. I was lucky enough to learn at Rabbanit Michelle’s house before it started on zoom and it was quickly part of my daily routine. I find it so important to see for myself where halachot were derived, where stories were told and to get more insight into how the Rabbis interacted.

Deborah Dickson
Deborah Dickson

Ra’anana, Israel

Shortly after the death of my father, David Malik z”l, I made the commitment to Daf Yomi. While riding to Ben Gurion airport in January, Siyum HaShas was playing on the radio; that was the nudge I needed to get started. The “everyday-ness” of the Daf has been a meaningful spiritual practice, especial after COVID began & I was temporarily unable to say Kaddish at daily in-person minyanim.

Lisa S. Malik
Lisa S. Malik

Wynnewood, United States

My first Talmud class experience was a weekly group in 1971 studying Taanit. In 2007 I resumed Talmud study with a weekly group I continue learning with. January 2020, I was inspired to try learning Daf Yomi. A friend introduced me to Daf Yomi for Women and Rabbanit Michelle Farber, I have kept with this program and look forward, G- willing, to complete the entire Shas with Hadran.
Lorri Lewis
Lorri Lewis

Palo Alto, CA, United States

I started at the beginning of this cycle. No 1 reason, but here’s 5.
In 2019 I read about the upcoming siyum hashas.
There was a sermon at shul about how anyone can learn Talmud.
Talmud references come up when I am studying. I wanted to know more.
Yentl was on telly. Not a great movie but it’s about studying Talmud.
I went to the Hadran website: A new cycle is starting. I’m gonna do this

Denise Neapolitan
Denise Neapolitan

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Sukkah 25

אֶלָּא בֵּית סָאתַיִם!

only within an area of two beit se’a, the area necessary to grow two se’a of produce? Two beit se’a was the area of the Tabernacle courtyard; it is also the area within which the Sages permitted one to carry on Shabbat in a case where there are partitions but the area was not originally enclosed for the purpose of residence. If one tied the foliage to prevent its swaying in the wind, he clearly established the partition for residence, and there should be no limits on the area in which he may carry.

מִשּׁוּם דְּהָוֵי דִּירָה שֶׁתַּשְׁמִישֶׁיהָ לַאֲוִיר, וְכׇל דִּירָה שֶׁתַּשְׁמִישֶׁיהָ לַאֲוִיר אֵין מְטַלְטְלִין בּוֹ אֶלָּא סָאתַיִם.

The Gemara answers: The reason that it is permitted to carry only if the enclosed area is less than this size is because it is a residence whose uses are for the open air beyond it, i.e., it is used by guards who are watching the fields beyond it rather than as an independent residence. And the halakha with regard to any residence whose uses are for the open air beyond it is that one may carry in it only if its area is no larger than two beit se’a.

תָּא שְׁמַע: שָׁבַת בְּתֵל שֶׁהוּא גָּבוֹהַּ עֲשָׂרָה, וְהוּא מֵאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת עַד בֵּית סָאתַיִם, וְכֵן בְּנֶקַע שֶׁהוּא עָמוֹק עֲשָׂרָה, וְהוּא מֵאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת עַד בֵּית סָאתַיִם, וְכֵן קָמָה קְצוּרָה וְשִׁבּוֹלוֹת מַקִּיפוֹת אוֹתָהּ — מְהַלֵּךְ אֶת כּוּלָּהּ וְחוּצָה לָהּ אַלְפַּיִם אַמָּה. אַף עַל גַּב דְּקָאָזֵיל וְאָתֵי! הָתָם נָמֵי, דְּעָבֵיד לֵיהּ בְּהוּצָא וְדַפְנָא.

Come and hear proof from another source: With regard to one who established his Shabbat residence on a mound that is ten handbreadths high and its area is anywhere from four cubits to two beit se’a; and similarly, with regard to one who established his Shabbat residence in a natural cavity of a rock that is ten handbreadths deep and its area is anywhere from four cubits to two beit se’a; and similarly, with regard to one who established his Shabbat residence in a field of reaped grain, and rows of stalks ten handbreadths high that have not been reaped surround it, serving as a partition enclosing the reaped area, he may walk in the entire enclosed area and outside it an additional two thousand cubits. Apparently, the stalks are a fit partition although they sway back and forth in the wind. The Gemara refutes this proof: There, too, it is a fit partition due to the fact that he established the partition by tying it with hard palm leaves and laurel leaves.

מַתְנִי׳ שְׁלוּחֵי מִצְוָה — פְּטוּרִין מִן הַסּוּכָּה. חוֹלִין וּמְשַׁמְּשֵׁיהֶן — פְּטוּרִין מִן הַסּוּכָּה. אוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין עֲרַאי חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה.

MISHNA: Those on the path to perform a mitzva are exempt from the mitzva of sukka. The ill and their caretakers are exempt from the mitzva of sukka. One may eat and drink in the framework of a casual meal outside the sukka.

גְּמָ׳ מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ״ — פְּרָט לְעוֹסֵק בְּמִצְוָה, ״וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ״ — פְּרָט לְחָתָן. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: הַכּוֹנֵס אֶת הַבְּתוּלָה — פָּטוּר, וְאֶת הָאַלְמָנָה — חַיָּיב.

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived that one who is performing a mitzva is exempt from the mitzva of sukka? The Sages taught in a baraita that it is written in the Torah that one recites Shema at the following times: “When you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). The Sages interpret: “When you sit in your house,” to the exclusion of one who is engaged in the performance of a mitzva, who is not sitting at home; “and when you walk by the way,” to the exclusion of a groom, who is preoccupied with his mitzva of consummating the marriage and is not walking along the way. The baraita adds that from here the Sages stated: One who marries a virgin is exempt from reciting Shema on his wedding night, and one who marries a widow is obligated.

מַאי מַשְׁמַע? אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: כְּדֶרֶךְ. מָה דֶּרֶךְ רְשׁוּת, אַף כֹּל רְשׁוּת, לְאַפּוֹקֵי הַאי דִּבְמִצְוָה עָסוּק.

The Gemara asks: From where may it be inferred in this verse that a groom is exempt from the mitzva of Shema? Rav Huna said: The circumstances when one is obligated to recite Shema are like the circumstances when one walks along the way: Just as the walking by the way described in the verse is voluntary and involves no mitzva, so too, all those obligated to recite Shema are similarly engaged in voluntary activities, to the exclusion of this groom, who is engaged in the performance of a mitzva.

מִי לָא עָסְקִינַן דְּקָאָזֵיל לִדְבַר מִצְוָה, וְקָא אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא לִיקְרֵי! אִם כֵּן לֵימָא קְרָא ״בְּשֶׁבֶת וּבְלֶכֶת״, מַאי ״בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ״ ״וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ״ — בְּלֶכֶת דִּידָךְ הוּא דְּמִיחַיְּיבַתְּ, הָא בְּלֶכֶת דְּמִצְוָה — פְּטִירַתְּ.

The Gemara asks: The verse does not specify the way along which one is walking. Are we not dealing with one who is walking along the way for a matter of a mitzva, and nevertheless, the Merciful One says to recite Shema? Apparently, one is obligated to do so even if he set out to perform a mitzva. The Gemara answers: If it is so that the intention was to obligate even those who are engaged in performance of a mitzva, let the verse state: When sitting and when walking. What is the meaning of: “When you sit…and when you walk”? It comes to underscore: It is in your walking, undertaken for personal reasons and of one’s own volition, that you are obligated to recite Shema; in walking with the objective of performing a mitzva, you are exempt from reciting Shema.

אִי הָכִי, אֲפִילּוּ כּוֹנֵס אֶת הָאַלְמָנָה נָמֵי? כּוֹנֵס אֶת הַבְּתוּלָה טְרִיד, כּוֹנֵס אַלְמָנָה לָא טְרִיד.

The Gemara asks: If so, even one who marries a widow should also be exempt, as he too is engaged in the performance of a mitzva. That, however, contradicts the baraita. The Gemara responds that there is a distinction between one marrying a virgin and one marrying a widow. One who marries a virgin is preoccupied by his concern lest he discover that his bride is not a virgin, while one who marries a widow is not preoccupied.

וְכׇל הֵיכָא דִּטְרִיד, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּפָטוּר?! אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, טָבְעָה סְפִינָתוֹ בַּיָּם — דִּטְרִיד, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּפָטוּר?! וְכִי תֵּימָא הָכִי נָמֵי, וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: אָבֵל חַיָּיב בְּכׇל הַמִּצְוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בַּתּוֹרָה חוּץ מִן הַתְּפִילִּין, שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן ״פְּאֵר״!

The Gemara asks: And wherever one is preoccupied is he indeed exempt? But if that is so, then one whose ship sank at sea, who is preoccupied, should also be exempt. The Gemara reinforces its question: And if you say that indeed, that is so, didn’t Rabbi Abba bar Zavda say that Rav said: A mourner is obligated in all the mitzvot mentioned in the Torah, including reciting Shema, except for the mitzva to don phylacteries, from which he is exempt, as the term splendor is stated with regard to phylacteries? If a mourner, who is clearly pained and preoccupied, is obligated to recite Shema, then certainly all others who are preoccupied, even one whose ship sank at sea, whose loss was merely monetary (Birkat Hashem), should be obligated. Why, then, is a groom exempted due to his preoccupation and one who lost his property is not?

הָכָא טְרִיד טִירְדָּא דְמִצְוָה, הָתָם טְרִיד טִירְדָּא דִרְשׁוּת.

The Gemara answers: Nevertheless, there is a distinction between the cases. Here, in the case of a groom, he is preoccupied with the preoccupation of a mitzva that he must perform; there, in the case of a ship lost at sea, he is preoccupied with the preoccupation of a voluntary act that he chooses to perform.

וְהָעוֹסֵק בְּמִצְוָה פָּטוּר מִן הַמִּצְוָה מֵהָכָא נָפְקָא? מֵהָתָם נָפְקָא, דְּתַנְיָא: ״וַיְהִי אֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ טְמֵאִים לְנֶפֶשׁ אָדָם וְגוֹ׳״ — אוֹתָם אֲנָשִׁים מִי הָיוּ? נוֹשְׂאֵי אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל יוֹסֵף הָיוּ, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי.

§ The Gemara asks: And is the halakhic principle that one who is engaged in a mitzva is exempt from performing another mitzva derived from here? It is derived from there, as it is taught in a baraita that it is written: “There were certain men who were impure by the corpse of a person and they could not observe the Pesaḥ on that day” (Numbers 9:6). Before proceeding with the discussion, the baraita seeks to clarify with regard to those men who became impure: Who were they? The baraita answers: They were the bearers of Joseph’s coffin, which the Jewish people brought with them in the desert. This is the statement of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: מִישָׁאֵל וְאֶלְצָפָן הָיוּ, שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹסְקִין בְּנָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא. רַבִּי יִצְחָק אוֹמֵר: אִם נוֹשְׂאֵי אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל יוֹסֵף הָיוּ, כְּבָר הָיוּ יְכוֹלִין לִיטָּהֵר. אִם מִישָׁאֵל וְאֶלְצָפָן הָיוּ, יְכוֹלִין הָיוּ לִיטָּהֵר.

Rabbi Akiva says: They were Mishael and Elzaphan, who were engaged in carrying the bodies of Nadav and Avihu after they were burned in the Holy of Holies (see Leviticus 10:4). Rabbi Yitzḥak says: These identifications are inaccurate, because if they were the bearers of Joseph’s coffin, they could have already been purified. They were camped at Sinai sufficient time to become purified in time to sacrifice the Paschal lamb. And if they were Mishael and Elzaphan they could have already been purified, as the Tabernacle was erected on the first of Nisan, which was the eighth day of the inauguration, when the sons of Aaron were burned. More than seven days remained until the eve of Passover on the fourteenth of Nisan.

אֶלָּא, עוֹסְקִין בְּמֵת מִצְוָה הָיוּ שֶׁחָל שְׁבִיעִי שֶׁלָּהֶן לִהְיוֹת בְּעֶרֶב פֶּסַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת הַפֶּסַח בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא״, בְּיוֹם הַהוּא אֵין יְכוֹלִין לַעֲשׂוֹת, הָא לְמָחָר — יְכוֹלִין לַעֲשׂוֹת!

Rather, they were unnamed people who were engaged in tending to a corpse whose burial is a mitzva, i.e., which has no one else available to bury it, and their seventh day of impurity occurred precisely on the eve of Passover, as it is stated: “And they could not observe the Pesaḥ on that day” (Numbers 9:6). The Gemara infers: On that day they could not observe it; on the next day they could observe it. Although they would be purified at nightfall and would then be eligible to partake of the Paschal lamb, at the time of the slaughter and the sprinkling of the blood they were not yet pure. They asked whether the Paschal lamb could be slaughtered on their behalf. Apparently, they were obligated to perform the mitzva of burial of the corpse although it prevented them from fulfilling the mitzva of sacrificing the Paschal lamb, which is a stringent mitzva. This is the source for the principle that one engaged in the performance of a mitzva is exempt from performing another mitzva.

צְרִיכָא, דְּאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן הָתָם — מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא מְטָא זְמַן חִיּוּבָא דְּפֶסַח, אֲבָל הָכָא, דִּמְטָא זְמַן קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע — אֵימָא לָא, צְרִיכָא. וְאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן הָכָא — מִשּׁוּם דְּלֵיכָּא כָּרֵת, אֲבָל הָתָם, דְּאִיכָּא כָּרֵת — אֵימָא לָא, צְרִיכָא.

The Gemara answers: Both sources are necessary. As, if it had taught us there, in the case of impurity imparted by a corpse, the conclusion would have been that the exemption from sacrificing the Paschal lamb is due to the fact that the time of the obligation of the Pesaḥ had not yet arrived when they were obligated to bury the corpse, and therefore they proceeded to fulfill the mitzva that they encountered first. However, here, where the time to recite Shema had already arrived during the wedding, say no, that the groom is not exempt; therefore, it is necessary to teach that the groom is exempt. And if it had taught us here, with regard to Shema, the conclusion would have been that the exemption from Shema is due to the fact that it is not a stringent mitzva, as there is no karet administered to one who fails to fulfill it. However, there, with regard to the Paschal lamb, where there is karet administered to one who fails to observe the Pesaḥ, say that one is not exempt from performing it. Therefore, it is necessary to teach both cases.

גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: אָבֵל חַיָּיב בְּכׇל מִצְוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בַּתּוֹרָה חוּץ מִתְּפִילִּין, שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן ״פְּאֵר״. מִדַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא לִיחֶזְקֵאל ״פְּאֵרְךָ חֲבוֹשׁ עָלֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳״ — אַתְּ הוּא דְּמִיחַיְּיבַתְּ, אֲבָל כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא פְּטִירִי.

§ With regard to the matter itself, Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said: A mourner is obligated in all the mitzvot mentioned in the Torah except for the mitzva to don phylacteries, from which a mourner is exempt, as the term splendor is stated with regard to phylacteries, and it is not proper for a mourner to adorn himself in this manner. This is derived from the fact that the Merciful One said to Ezekiel: “Sigh in silence; make no mourning for the dead, bind your splendor upon you, and put your shoes upon your feet” (Ezekiel 24:17). Ezekiel was commanded to refrain from mourning for his wife in the manner that others do. God said to Ezekiel: You are obligated to don phylacteries even while mourning; however, everyone else is exempt.

וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאַחֲרִיתָהּ כְּיוֹם מָר״.

The Gemara comments: This exemption applies only on the first day of mourning, as it is written: “And I will make it as the mourning for an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day” (Amos 8:10). From this verse it is derived that the primary bitterness of a mourner lasts only one day.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: אָבֵל חַיָּיב בַּסּוּכָּה. פְּשִׁיטָא? מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא: הוֹאִיל וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: מִצְטַעֵר פָּטוּר מִן הַסּוּכָּה — הַאי נָמֵי מִצְטַעֵר הוּא, קָמַשְׁמַע לַן: הָנֵי מִילֵּי צַעֲרָא דְמִמֵּילָא, אֲבָל הָכָא, אִיהוּ הוּא דְּקָא מְצַעַר נַפְשֵׁיהּ, אִיבְּעִי לֵיהּ לְיַתּוֹבֵי דַּעְתֵּיהּ.

On a similar note, Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said: A mourner is obligated in the mitzva of sukka. The Gemara asks: That is obvious; why would he be exempt? The Gemara answers: Lest you say that since Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said that one who is suffering due to his presence in the sukka is exempt from the mitzva of sukka, one could have said that this mourner too is one who is suffering and should be exempt as well. Therefore, he teaches us that the mourner is obligated in the mitzva of sukka. These cases are not similar, since this exemption from sukka applies only with regard to suffering that is caused by the sukka itself, e.g., when one is cold or hot or when the roofing has a foul odor. However, here, in the case of a mourner, where he is causing himself to suffer unrelated to his presence in the sukka, he is required to settle himself and fulfill the mitzva.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר זַבְדָּא אָמַר רַב: חָתָן וְהַשּׁוֹשְׁבִינִין וְכׇל בְּנֵי הַחוּפָּה — פְּטוּרִין מִן הַסּוּכָּה כׇּל שִׁבְעָה. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּבָעוּ לְמִיחְדֵּי. וְלֵיכְלוּ בַּסּוּכָּה וְלִיחְדּוֹ בַּסּוּכָּה! אֵין שִׂמְחָה אֶלָּא בַּחוּפָּה. וְלֵיכְלוּ בַּסּוּכָּה וְלִיחְדּוֹ בַּחוּפָּה! אֵין שִׂמְחָה אֶלָּא בִּמְקוֹם סְעוּדָה.

§ And Rabbi Abba bar Zavda said that Rav said: The groom and the groomsmen and all members of the wedding party who participate in the wedding celebration are exempt from the mitzva of sukka for all seven days of the wedding celebration. The Gemara asks: What is the reason that they are exempt? It is because they wish to rejoice. The Gemara asks: And let them eat in the sukka and rejoice in the sukka. The Gemara answers: The celebration of a wedding is only in the wedding home where the newlyweds reside after the marriage ceremony. The Gemara asks: So let them eat in the sukka like everyone else and rejoice in the wedding home. The Gemara answers: There is joy only in the place where there is a meal. Therefore, since the celebration must be in the home of the newlyweds, the meal must also be there.

וְלֶיעְבְּדוּ חוּפָּה בַּסּוּכָּה? אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. וְרָבָא אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם צַעַר חָתָן. מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ? אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ דִּשְׁכִיחִי אִינָשֵׁי דְּנָפְקִי וְעָיְילִי לְהָתָם. לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד — לֵיכָּא. לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מִשּׁוּם צַעַר חָתָן — אִיכָּא.

The Gemara asks: And let them establish the wedding home in the sukka. Abaye said: This may not be done due to the prohibition against seclusion of the bride with a man other than her husband. As the sukka was often established on a rooftop, if the groom went downstairs at any point, the bride could find herself alone in the sukka with a man. And Rava said: The reason is due to the suffering of the groom. Since the sukka is not enclosed on all sides, he will be unable to enjoy privacy with his bride. The Gemara asks: What is the practical difference between them? The Gemara answers: The practical difference between them is in a case where people regularly enter and leave the sukka. According to the one who said that the reason is due to the prohibition against being alone together, there is no room for concern in that case. However, according to the one who said that the reason is due to the suffering of the groom, there is room for concern in that case as well.

אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֲנָא אֲכַלִי בַּסּוּכָּה וַחֲדַי בַּחוּפָּה, וְכׇל שֶׁכֵּן דְּחָדֵי לִיבַּאי דְּקָא עָבֵידְנָא תַּרְתֵּי.

Rabbi Zeira said: I married on the eve of the festival of Sukkot and I ate in the sukka and rejoiced in the wedding home, and all the more so my heart rejoiced as I fulfilled two mitzvot: The mitzva of marriage and the accompanying celebration, and the mitzva of sukka. Nevertheless, he did not require others to do the same.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חָתָן וְהַשּׁוֹשְׁבִינִין וְכׇל בְּנֵי חוּפָּה, פְּטוּרִין מִן הַתְּפִלָּה וּמִן הַתְּפִילִּין, וְחַיָּיבִין בִּקְרִיאַת שְׁמַע.

The Sages taught: The groom and the groomsmen and all the members of the wedding party are exempt from the mitzva of prayer and from the mitzva of phylacteries because they are unable to muster the requisite intent due to the excess of joy and levity; but they are obligated in the mitzva of reciting Shema.

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