How was the mitzva of arava performed in the Temple? Where were the aravot taken from? What did they say at the ceremony? What did they do differently when the last day fell on Shabbat? Rabbi Yochanan ben Broka had a different tradition regarding the custom and instead of arava they used palm branches and placed them on the sides of the altar. What was the height of the aravot that were placed near the altar? Why? The gemara brings several different drashot on the verse “isru chag… on the corners of the altar” One of the drashot was said by Rabbi Yirmiah in the name of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the gemara quotes several statements made by Rabbi Yirmiah in the same of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. In some of them, R. Shimon Bar Yochai talks about his greatness and that of his son. He speaks of them as if there are no others like them and the gemara raises a question on this from other sources, including one that mentions the 36 righteous people in every generation. Do we make a bracha on a lulav every day of the holiday? What about Sukkah? What are the different opinions?
This month’s learning is sponsored by Beth Balkany in honor of their granddaughter, Devorah Chana Serach Eichel. “May she grow up to be a lifelong learner.”
This month’s learning is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari z”l, on the occasion of his first yahrzeit. Over the course of his distinguished career as an educator, as principal of the Yeshiva of Flatbush, and as community rabbi, he inspired thousands of students with his wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment to Torah.
This week’s learning is sponsored by Mark and Rena Goldstein for refuah shleima of Ben Ezra Septee ben Rena and Aliza Margalit bat Shaina Raya.
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
Summary
This month’s learning is sponsored by Beth Balkany in honor of their granddaughter, Devorah Chana Serach Eichel. “May she grow up to be a lifelong learner.”
This month’s learning is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari z”l, on the occasion of his first yahrzeit. Over the course of his distinguished career as an educator, as principal of the Yeshiva of Flatbush, and as community rabbi, he inspired thousands of students with his wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment to Torah.
This week’s learning is sponsored by Mark and Rena Goldstein for refuah shleima of Ben Ezra Septee ben Rena and Aliza Margalit bat Shaina Raya.
Sukkah 45
וְכִי לְיַיבְּשָׁן הוּא צָרִיךְ? אֶלָּא אֵימָא: עַל גַּב הָאִיצְטְבָא. אָמַר רַחֲבָא אָמַר (רַב) יְהוּדָה: הַר הַבַּיִת סְטָיו כָּפוּל הָיָה, סְטָיו לְפָנִים מִסְּטָיו.
And does he need to dry them? Clearly, that is not his intention. Why, then, would he place the lulavim on the roof? Rather, emend your version and say: On the bench beneath the roof, in a place designated for that purpose. Raḥava said that Rav Yehuda said: The Temple Mount was a double colonnade [setav], a colonnade within a colonnade, and there was room there to place the lulavim.
מַתְנִי׳ מִצְוַת עֲרָבָה כֵּיצַד? מָקוֹם הָיָה לְמַטָּה מִירוּשָׁלַיִם וְנִקְרָא ״מוֹצָא״, יוֹרְדִין לְשָׁם וּמְלַקְּטִין מִשָּׁם מוּרְבִּיּוֹת שֶׁל עֲרָבָה, וּבָאִין וְזוֹקְפִין אוֹתָן בְּצִדֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְרָאשֵׁיהֶן כְּפוּפִין עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ. תָּקְעוּ וְהֵרִיעוּ וְתָקְעוּ. בְּכׇל יוֹם מַקִּיפִין אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ פַּעַם אַחַת וְאוֹמְרִים: ״אָנָּא ה׳ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא, אָנָּא ה׳ הַצְלִיחָה נָּא״. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: ״אֲנִי וָהוּ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָא״. וְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם מַקִּיפִין אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים. בִּשְׁעַת פְּטִירָתָן מָה הֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״יוֹפִי לְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ, יוֹפִי לְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ!״ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: ״לְיָהּ וּלְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ, לְיָהּ וּלְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ״.
MISHNA: How is the mitzva of the willow branch fulfilled? There was a place below Jerusalem, and it was called Motza. They would descend there and gather willow branches [murbiyyot] from there. And they would then come and stand them upright at the sides of the altar, and the tops of the branches would be inclined over the top of the altar. They then sounded a tekia, a simple uninterrupted blast, sounded a terua, a broken sound and/or a series of short staccato blasts, and sounded another tekia. Each day they would circle the altar one time and say: “Lord, please save us. Lord, please grant us success” (Psalms 118:25). Rabbi Yehuda says that they would say: Ani vaho, please save us. And on that day, the seventh day of Sukkot, they would circle the altar seven times. At the time of their departure at the end of the Festival, what would they say? It is beautiful for you, altar; it is beautiful for you, altar. Rabbi Elazar said that they would say: To the Lord and to you, altar; to the Lord and to you, altar.
כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ בַּחוֹל כָּךְ מַעֲשֵׂהוּ בַּשַּׁבָּת, אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיוּ מְלַקְּטִין אוֹתָן מֵעֶרֶב וּמַנִּיחִין אוֹתָן בְּגִיגִיּוֹת שֶׁל זָהָב, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִכְמוֹשׁוּ. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן בְּרוֹקָה אוֹמֵר: חֲרִיּוֹת שֶׁל דֶּקֶל הָיוּ מְבִיאִין, וְחוֹבְטִין אוֹתָן בְּקַרְקַע בְּצִדֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם נִקְרָא חִבּוּט חֲרִיּוֹת. מִיַּד תִּינוֹקוֹת שׁוֹמְטִין אֶת לוּלְבֵיהֶן וְאוֹכְלִין אֶתְרוֹגֵיהֶן.
The mishna notes: As its performance during the week, so is its performance on Shabbat; except for the fact that they would gather the branches from Shabbat eve and place them in basins of gold so that they would not dry. Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka says: There was a unique custom on the seventh day. They would bring palm branches to the Temple and place them on the ground at the sides of the altar, and that seventh day of Sukkot was called: The day of the placing of palm branches. Immediately after fulfilling the mitzva of taking the four species on the seventh day of the festival of Sukkot, children remove their lulavim from the binding and eat their etrogim as an expression of extreme joy.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנָא: מְקוֹם קָלָנְיָא הֲוָה. וְתַנָּא דִּידַן מַאי טַעְמָא קָרֵי לֵיהּ ״מוֹצָא״? אַיְּידֵי דְּמִיפָּק מִכְּרָגָא דְמַלְכָּא — קָרֵי לֵיהּ ״מוֹצָא״.
GEMARA: It was taught: Motza, which was mentioned in the mishna, was a Roman military colony [kelanya]. The Gemara asks: And the tanna of our mishna, what is the reason that he called it Motza? The reason is that since it is exempted from the king’s tax [karga], they call it Motza, meaning removed.
וּבָאִין וְזוֹקְפִין אוֹתָן בְּצִדֵּי כּוּ׳. תָּנָא: רַבּוֹת, וַאֲרוּכוֹת, וּגְבוֹהוֹת אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה, כְּדֵי שֶׁיְּהוּ גּוֹחוֹת עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אַמָּה.
§ The mishna continues: And after gathering the willow branches, they would then come and stand them upright at the sides of the altar. It was taught: The willow branches were numerous and long, and eleven cubits high, so that they would lean over the altar one cubit.
אָמַר מָרִימָר מִשּׁוּם מָר זוּטְרָא: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ עַל הַיְּסוֹד מַנַּח לְהוּ, דְּאִי סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אַאַרְעָא מַנַּח לְהוּ, מִכְּדֵי: עָלָה אַמָּה וְכָנַס אַמָּה — זֶהוּ יְסוֹד. עָלָה חָמֵשׁ וְכָנַס אַמָּה — זֶהוּ סוֹבֵב. עָלָה שָׁלֹשׁ — זֶהוּ מְקוֹם הַקְּרָנוֹת. גּוֹחוֹת עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ הֵיכִי מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לַהּ! אֶלָּא לָאו, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ אַיְּסוֹד מַנַּח לְהוּ. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.
Mareimar said in the name of Mar Zutra: Learn from it that one places them on the base of the altar and not on the ground, as, if it enters your mind that one places them on the ground, it would pose a difficulty in understanding the mishna. Now, since the following is stated with regard to the structure of the altar: The altar ascended one cubit high and indented one cubit and that is the base, and it ascended five additional cubits and indented one cubit and that is the surrounding ledge, and it ascended three additional cubits and that is the location of the horns of the altar, as the height of the altar totaled nine cubits; consequently, where can you find a case where the willow branches lean over the altar one cubit? Due to the indentations, the branches would need to stand inclined. Eleven cubits would not be sufficiently high to lean one cubit over the altar. Rather, is it not that one must conclude from this that the branches were placed on the base, adding a cubit to their height? The Gemara concludes: Indeed, conclude from it that it is so.
אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: מַאי קְרָאָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבוֹתִים עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל הַנּוֹטֵל לוּלָב בְּאִגּוּדוֹ וַהֲדַס בַּעֲבוֹתוֹ, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ בָּנָה מִזְבֵּחַ וְהִקְרִיב עָלָיו קׇרְבָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:
Rabbi Abbahu said: What is the verse that alludes to the fact that the branches must lean one cubit over the top of the altar? It is as it is stated: “Encircle [isru] with branches on the Festival until the horns of the altar” (Psalms 118:27), indicating that willow branches should surround the horns of the altar. That is facilitated by standing the branches on the base. The Gemara cites derivations based on different interpretations of the terms in that verse. Rabbi Abbahu said that Rabbi Elazar said: With regard to anyone who takes a lulav in its binding and a myrtle branch in its dense-leaved form, the verse ascribes him credit as though he built an altar and sacrificed an offering upon it, as it is stated:
״אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבוֹתִים עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי, וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הַמָּחוֹזִי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן הַמָּכוֹתִי: כׇּל הָעוֹשֶׂה אִיסּוּר לֶחָג בַּאֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ בָּנָה מִזְבֵּחַ וְהִקְרִיב עָלָיו קׇרְבָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבוֹתִים עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ״.
“Bind [isru] with dense-leaved branches [ba’avotim] on the Festival until the horns of the altar” (Psalms 118:27), which alludes to both the binding of the lulav and to the myrtle branch, referred to in the Torah as the branch of a dense-leaved tree [anaf etz avot]. Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, and Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon HaMeḥozi, who said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan HaMakkoti: With regard to anyone who establishes an addition [issur] to the Festival on the day after the Festival by eating and drinking, the verse ascribes him credit as though he built an altar and sacrificed an offering upon it, as it is stated: “Add [isru] to the Festival with fattened animals [ba’avotim] until the horns of the altar.”
אָמַר חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: כׇּל הַמִּצְוֹת כּוּלָּן אֵין אָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן אֶלָּא דֶּרֶךְ גְּדִילָתָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עוֹמְדִים״.
§ Apropos the halakha cited by Rabbi Yirmeya in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, the Gemara cites additional halakhot. Ḥizkiya said that Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: With regard to all objects used in performance of each and every one of the mitzvot, a person fulfills his obligation only when the objects are positioned in the manner of their growth. One must take the lulav with the bottom of the branch facing down, as it is stated with regard to the beams of the Tabernacle: “Acacia wood, standing” (Exodus 26:15), indicating that the beams stood in the manner of their growth.
תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: ״עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁעוֹמְדִים דֶּרֶךְ גְּדִילָתָן. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁמַּעֲמִידִין אֶת צִיפּוּיָן. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר אָבַד סִיבְרָם וּבָטַל סִיכּוּיָין, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁעוֹמְדִים לְעוֹלָם וּלְעוֹלְמֵי עוֹלָמִים.
That was also taught in a baraita: “Acacia wood, standing,” indicating that they stand in the Tabernacle in the manner of their growth in nature. Alternatively, standing means that the beams support their gold plating that is affixed to the beams with nails. Alternatively, standing teaches: Lest you say that after the destruction of the Tabernacle their hope is lost and their prospect is abolished, and they will never serve a sacred purpose again, therefore the verse states: “Acacia wood, standing,” meaning that they stand forever and for all time and will yet be revealed and utilized again.
וְאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: יָכוֹל אֲנִי לִפְטוֹר אֶת כׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ מִן הַדִּין — מִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרֵאתִי עַד עַתָּה, וְאִילְמָלֵי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּנִי עִמִּי — מִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם וְעַד עַכְשָׁיו, וְאִילְמָלֵי יוֹתָם בֶּן עוּזִּיָּהוּ עִמָּנוּ — מִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם עַד סוֹפוֹ.
And Ḥizkiya said that Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: I am able to absolve the entire world from judgment for sins committed from the day I was created until now. The merit that he accrued through his righteousness and the suffering that he endured atone for the sins of the entire world. And were the merit accrued by Eliezer, my son, calculated along with my own, we would absolve the world from judgment for sins committed from the day that the world was created until now. And were the merit accrued by the righteous king, Jotham ben Uzziah, calculated with our own, we would absolve the world from judgment for sins committed from the day that the world was created until its end. The righteousness of these three serves as a counterbalance to all the evil deeds committed throughout the generations, and it validates the ongoing existence of the world.
וְאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: רָאִיתִי בְּנֵי עֲלִיָּיה וְהֵן מוּעָטִין. אִם אֶלֶף הֵן — אֲנִי וּבְנִי מֵהֶן, אִם מֵאָה הֵם — אֲנִי וּבְנִי מֵהֶן, אִם שְׁנַיִם הֵן — אֲנִי וּבְנִי הֵן. וּמִי זוּטְרֵי כּוּלֵּי הַאי? וְהָא אָמַר רָבָא: תַּמְנֵי סְרֵי אַלְפֵי הָוֵה דָּרָא דְּקַמֵּיהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״סָבִיב שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר אָלֶף״! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּמִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה, הָא דְּלָא מִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה.
And Ḥizkiya said that Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: I have seen members of the caste of the spiritually prominent, who are truly righteous, and they are few. If they number one thousand, I and my son are among them. If they number one hundred, I and my son are among them; and if they number two, I and my son are they. The Gemara asks: Are they so few? But didn’t Rava say: There are eighteen thousand righteous individuals in a row before the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “Surrounding are eighteen thousand” (Ezekiel 48:35)? Apparently, the righteous are numerous. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This statement of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai is referring to the very few who view the Divine Presence through a bright, mirror-like partition, while that statement of Rava is referring to those who do not view the Divine Presence through a bright partition.
וּדְמִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה, מִי זוּטְרֵי כּוּלֵּי הַאי? וְהָא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לָא פָּחֵית עָלְמָא מִתְּלָתִין וְשִׁיתָּא צַדִּיקֵי דִּמְקַבְּלִי אַפֵּי שְׁכִינָה בְּכׇל יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַשְׁרֵי כׇּל חוֹכֵי לוֹ״, ״לוֹ״ בְּגִימַטְרִיָּא תְּלָתִין וְשִׁיתָּא הָווּ! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּעָיְילִי בְּבַר, הָא דְּעָיְילִי בְּלָא בַּר.
The Gemara asks further: And are those who view the Divine Presence through a bright partition so few? But didn’t Abaye say: The world has no fewer than thirty-six righteous people in each generation who greet the Divine Presence every day, as it is stated: “Happy are all they that wait for Him [lo]” (Isaiah 30:18)? The numerological value of lo, spelled lamed vav, is thirty-six, alluding to the fact that there are at least thirty-six full-fledged righteous individuals in each generation. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This statement of Abaye is referring to those who enter to greet the Divine Presence by requesting and being granted permission, while that statement of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai is referring to those who enter even without requesting permission, for whom the gates of Heaven are open at all times. They are very few indeed.
בִּשְׁעַת פְּטִירָתָן מָה הֵן אוֹמְרִים וְכוּ׳. וְהָא קָא מִשְׁתַּתַּף שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם וְדָבָר אַחֵר, וְתַנְיָא: כׇּל הַמְשַׁתֵּף שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם וְדָבָר אַחֵר נֶעֱקָר מִן הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בִּלְתִּי לַה׳ לְבַדּוֹ״! הָכִי קָאָמַר: לְיָהּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים, וְלָךְ אָנוּ מְשַׁבְּחִין. לְיָהּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים, וְלָךְ אָנוּ מְקַלְּסִין.
§ The mishna asks: At the time of their departure at the end of the Festival, what would they say? The mishna answers that they would praise the altar and glorify God. The Gemara challenges this: But in doing so aren’t they joining the name of Heaven and another entity, and it was taught in a baraita: Anyone who joins the name of Heaven and another entity is uprooted from the world, as it is stated: “He that sacrifices unto the gods, save unto the Lord only, shall be utterly destroyed” (Exodus 22:19)? The Gemara answers that this is what the people are saying when they depart the Temple: To the Lord, we acknowledge that He is our God, and to you, the altar, we give praise; to the Lord, we acknowledge that He is our God, and to you, the altar, we give acclaim. The praise to God and the praise to the altar are clearly distinct.
כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ בַּחוֹל. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן בְּרוֹקָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כַּפּוֹת״, שְׁנַיִם: אַחַת לַלּוּלָב וְאַחַת לְמִזְבֵּחַ. וְרַבָּנַן אָמְרִי: ״כַּפַּת״ כְּתִיב.
§ The mishna continues: As its performance during the week, so is its performance on Shabbat. And according to Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka, on the seventh day of the Festival they would bring palm branches to the Temple. Rav Huna said: What is the rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka? It is as it is written: “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of a date palm” (Leviticus 23:40). Branches in the plural indicates that two branches must be taken, one for the lulav and one for placement around the altar. And the Rabbis say: Although the word is vocalized in the plural, based on tradition it is written kappot, without the letter vav. Therefore, it is interpreted as if it were written kappat, indicating that only one palm branch need be taken.
רַבִּי לֵוִי אוֹמֵר, כְּתָמָר: מָה תָּמָר זֶה אֵין לוֹ אֶלָּא לֵב אֶחָד, אַף יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵין לָהֶם אֶלָּא לֵב אֶחָד לַאֲבִיהֶם שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם.
Rabbi Levi says: The rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka is not based on a verse. Rather, it is a custom that developed to express praise for the Jewish people, likening them to a date palm. Just as the date palm has only one heart, as branches do not grow from its trunk but rather the trunk rises and branches emerge only at the top, so too, the Jewish people have only one heart directed toward their Father in Heaven.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לוּלָב שִׁבְעָה, וְסוּכָּה יוֹם אֶחָד. מַאי טַעְמָא? לוּלָב דְּמַפְסְקִי לֵילוֹת מִיָּמִים, כׇּל יוֹמָא מִצְוָה בְּאַפֵּיהּ נַפְשֵׁיהּ הוּא. סוּכָּה דְּלָא מַפְסְקִי לֵילוֹת מִיָּמִים, כּוּלְּהוּ שִׁבְעָה כְּחַד יוֹמָא אֲרִיכָא דָּמוּ.
§ Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: The blessing over the mitzva of lulav is recited seven days and the blessing over the mitzva of sukka is recited one day. What is the rationale for this distinction? It is written explicitly in the Torah that the mitzva to sit in the sukka applies all seven days. The Gemara explains: With regard to the lulav, where the nights are distinct from the days, as the mitzva of lulav is not in effect at night, each day is a mitzva in and of itself. A separate blessing is recited over each mitzva. However, with regard to sukka, where the nights are not distinct from the days, as the mitzva of sukka is in effect at night just as it is during the day, the legal status of all seven days of the Festival is like that of one long day.
וְרַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: סוּכָּה שִׁבְעָה, וְלוּלָב יוֹם אֶחָד. מַאי טַעְמָא? סוּכָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא — שִׁבְעָה, לוּלָב דְּרַבָּנַן — סַגִּי לֵיהּ בְּחַד יוֹמָא.
But Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The blessing over the mitzva of sukka is recited seven days and the blessing over the mitzva of lulav is recited one day. What is the rationale for this distinction? The Gemara explains: The mitzva of sukka is a mitzva by Torah law all seven days of the Festival. Therefore, a blessing is recited for seven days. However, the mitzva of lulav, other than on the first day, is a mitzva by rabbinic law, as the Sages instituted an ordinance to take the lulav for all seven days to commemorate the practice in the Temple. Therefore, it is enough to recite the blessing one day, on the first day.
כִּי אֲתָא רָבִין אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֶחָד זֶה וְאֶחָד זֶה שִׁבְעָה. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: נְקוֹט דְּרַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה בִּידָךְ, דְּכוּלְּהוּ אָמוֹרָאֵי קָיְימִי כְּווֹתֵיהּ בְּסוּכָּה.
When Ravin came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One recites a blessing over both this, the mitzva of sukka, and over that, the mitzva of lulav, all seven days. Rav Yosef said: Take the statement of Rabba bar bar Ḥana in your hand, as all the amora’im who transmitted statements of Rabbi Yoḥanan hold in accordance with his opinion in matters related to sukka.
מֵיתִיבִי:
The Gemara raises an objection based on a baraita:
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
Zevahim 39: Blood on the Inner Altar
Zevahim 38: When Beit Hillel Turns Stringent and Beit Shammai Lenient
Zevahim 37: Different Interpretations: Meaning and Reading
Zevahim 37: Different Interpretations: Meaning and Reading
Din & Daf: Kodshei Kodashim vs. Kodashim Kalim – What’s the Difference?
Zevachim Daf 22-29 – Daf Yomi: One Week at a Time
Zevahim 36: Invalid Offerings
Zevahim 35: A Fetus, Eggs, and the Separation of Animals
Zevahim 34: Pouring and Disposing of the Dregs
Zevahim 33: The Heavy Laying on of Hands
Zevahim 31: It’s a Measure of Time: Half a Loaf of Bread
Zevahim 32: The Surprising Leniencies and Leeway of Sacrifices
Zevahim 30: An Olive’s Measure of Intent
Zevahim 29: More Ways to Offer Offerings Right
New to Talmud?
Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you.
The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
Margo
I started my Talmud journey in 7th grade at Akiba Jewish Day School in Chicago. I started my Daf Yomi journey after hearing Erica Brown speak at the Hadran Siyum about marking the passage of time through Daf Yomi.
Carolyn
I started my Talmud journey post-college in NY with a few classes. I started my Daf Yomi journey after the Hadran Siyum, which inspired both my son and myself.
Merion Station, USA
Beit Shemesh, Israel
I was moved to tears by the Hadran Siyyum HaShas. I have learned Torah all my life, but never connected to learning Gemara on a regular basis until then. Seeing the sheer joy Talmud Torah at the siyyum, I felt compelled to be part of it, and I haven’t missed a day!
It’s not always easy, but it is so worthwhile, and it has strengthened my love of learning. It is part of my life now.
Beit Shemesh, Israel
A Gemara shiur previous to the Hadran Siyum, was the impetus to attend it.It was highly inspirational and I was smitten. The message for me was התלמוד בידינו. I had decided along with my Chahsmonaim group to to do the daf and take it one daf at time- without any expectations at all. There has been a wealth of information, insights and halachik ideas. It is truly exercise of the mind, heart & Soul
Hashmonaim, Israel
I attended the Siyum so that I could tell my granddaughter that I had been there. Then I decided to listen on Spotify and after the siyum of Brachot, Covid and zoom began. It gave structure to my day. I learn with people from all over the world who are now my friends – yet most of us have never met. I can’t imagine life without it. Thank you Rabbanit Michelle.
Raanana, Israel
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Skokie, IL, United States
Minnesota, United States
Ontario, Canada
I started learning at the start of this cycle, and quickly fell in love. It has become such an important part of my day, enriching every part of my life.
Toronto, Canada
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
When the new cycle began, I thought, If not now, when? I’d just turned 72. I feel like a tourist on a tour bus passing astonishing scenery each day. Rabbanit Michelle is my beloved tour guide. When the cycle ends, I’ll be 80. I pray that I’ll have strength and mind to continue the journey to glimpse a little more. My grandchildren think having a daf-learning savta is cool!
Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
After reading the book, “ If All The Seas Were Ink “ by Ileana Kurshan I started studying Talmud. I searched and studied with several teachers until I found Michelle Farber. I have been studying with her for two years. I look forward every day to learn from her.
Virginia, United States
Attending the Siyyum in Jerusalem 26 months ago inspired me to become part of this community of learners. So many aspects of Jewish life have been illuminated by what we have learned in Seder Moed. My day is not complete without daf Yomi. I am so grateful to Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran Community.
Newton, United States
I started learning Gemara at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. And I resumed ‘ברוך ה decades later with Rabbanit Michele at Hadran. I started from Brachot and have had an exciting, rewarding experience throughout seder Moed!
Maale Adumim, Israel
Minneapolis, MN, United States
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 .
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.
Beit Shemesh, Israel
I began daf yomi in January 2020 with Brachot. I had made aliya 6 months before, and one of my post-aliya goals was to complete a full cycle. As a life-long Tanach teacher, I wanted to swim from one side of the Yam shel Torah to the other. Daf yomi was also my sanity through COVID. It was the way to marking the progression of time, and feel that I could grow and accomplish while time stopped.
Givat Zev, Israel
My curiosity was peaked after seeing posts about the end of the last cycle. I am always looking for opportunities to increase my Jewish literacy & I am someone that is drawn to habit and consistency. Dinnertime includes a “Guess what I learned on the daf” segment for my husband and 18 year old twins. I also love the feelings of connection with my colleagues who are also learning.
Tampa, United States
I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Sukkah 45
וְכִי לְיַיבְּשָׁן הוּא צָרִיךְ? אֶלָּא אֵימָא: עַל גַּב הָאִיצְטְבָא. אָמַר רַחֲבָא אָמַר (רַב) יְהוּדָה: הַר הַבַּיִת סְטָיו כָּפוּל הָיָה, סְטָיו לְפָנִים מִסְּטָיו.
And does he need to dry them? Clearly, that is not his intention. Why, then, would he place the lulavim on the roof? Rather, emend your version and say: On the bench beneath the roof, in a place designated for that purpose. Raḥava said that Rav Yehuda said: The Temple Mount was a double colonnade [setav], a colonnade within a colonnade, and there was room there to place the lulavim.
מַתְנִי׳ מִצְוַת עֲרָבָה כֵּיצַד? מָקוֹם הָיָה לְמַטָּה מִירוּשָׁלַיִם וְנִקְרָא ״מוֹצָא״, יוֹרְדִין לְשָׁם וּמְלַקְּטִין מִשָּׁם מוּרְבִּיּוֹת שֶׁל עֲרָבָה, וּבָאִין וְזוֹקְפִין אוֹתָן בְּצִדֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְרָאשֵׁיהֶן כְּפוּפִין עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ. תָּקְעוּ וְהֵרִיעוּ וְתָקְעוּ. בְּכׇל יוֹם מַקִּיפִין אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ פַּעַם אַחַת וְאוֹמְרִים: ״אָנָּא ה׳ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא, אָנָּא ה׳ הַצְלִיחָה נָּא״. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: ״אֲנִי וָהוּ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָא״. וְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם מַקִּיפִין אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים. בִּשְׁעַת פְּטִירָתָן מָה הֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״יוֹפִי לְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ, יוֹפִי לְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ!״ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: ״לְיָהּ וּלְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ, לְיָהּ וּלְךָ מִזְבֵּחַ״.
MISHNA: How is the mitzva of the willow branch fulfilled? There was a place below Jerusalem, and it was called Motza. They would descend there and gather willow branches [murbiyyot] from there. And they would then come and stand them upright at the sides of the altar, and the tops of the branches would be inclined over the top of the altar. They then sounded a tekia, a simple uninterrupted blast, sounded a terua, a broken sound and/or a series of short staccato blasts, and sounded another tekia. Each day they would circle the altar one time and say: “Lord, please save us. Lord, please grant us success” (Psalms 118:25). Rabbi Yehuda says that they would say: Ani vaho, please save us. And on that day, the seventh day of Sukkot, they would circle the altar seven times. At the time of their departure at the end of the Festival, what would they say? It is beautiful for you, altar; it is beautiful for you, altar. Rabbi Elazar said that they would say: To the Lord and to you, altar; to the Lord and to you, altar.
כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ בַּחוֹל כָּךְ מַעֲשֵׂהוּ בַּשַּׁבָּת, אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיוּ מְלַקְּטִין אוֹתָן מֵעֶרֶב וּמַנִּיחִין אוֹתָן בְּגִיגִיּוֹת שֶׁל זָהָב, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִכְמוֹשׁוּ. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן בְּרוֹקָה אוֹמֵר: חֲרִיּוֹת שֶׁל דֶּקֶל הָיוּ מְבִיאִין, וְחוֹבְטִין אוֹתָן בְּקַרְקַע בְּצִדֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם נִקְרָא חִבּוּט חֲרִיּוֹת. מִיַּד תִּינוֹקוֹת שׁוֹמְטִין אֶת לוּלְבֵיהֶן וְאוֹכְלִין אֶתְרוֹגֵיהֶן.
The mishna notes: As its performance during the week, so is its performance on Shabbat; except for the fact that they would gather the branches from Shabbat eve and place them in basins of gold so that they would not dry. Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka says: There was a unique custom on the seventh day. They would bring palm branches to the Temple and place them on the ground at the sides of the altar, and that seventh day of Sukkot was called: The day of the placing of palm branches. Immediately after fulfilling the mitzva of taking the four species on the seventh day of the festival of Sukkot, children remove their lulavim from the binding and eat their etrogim as an expression of extreme joy.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנָא: מְקוֹם קָלָנְיָא הֲוָה. וְתַנָּא דִּידַן מַאי טַעְמָא קָרֵי לֵיהּ ״מוֹצָא״? אַיְּידֵי דְּמִיפָּק מִכְּרָגָא דְמַלְכָּא — קָרֵי לֵיהּ ״מוֹצָא״.
GEMARA: It was taught: Motza, which was mentioned in the mishna, was a Roman military colony [kelanya]. The Gemara asks: And the tanna of our mishna, what is the reason that he called it Motza? The reason is that since it is exempted from the king’s tax [karga], they call it Motza, meaning removed.
וּבָאִין וְזוֹקְפִין אוֹתָן בְּצִדֵּי כּוּ׳. תָּנָא: רַבּוֹת, וַאֲרוּכוֹת, וּגְבוֹהוֹת אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה, כְּדֵי שֶׁיְּהוּ גּוֹחוֹת עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אַמָּה.
§ The mishna continues: And after gathering the willow branches, they would then come and stand them upright at the sides of the altar. It was taught: The willow branches were numerous and long, and eleven cubits high, so that they would lean over the altar one cubit.
אָמַר מָרִימָר מִשּׁוּם מָר זוּטְרָא: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ עַל הַיְּסוֹד מַנַּח לְהוּ, דְּאִי סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אַאַרְעָא מַנַּח לְהוּ, מִכְּדֵי: עָלָה אַמָּה וְכָנַס אַמָּה — זֶהוּ יְסוֹד. עָלָה חָמֵשׁ וְכָנַס אַמָּה — זֶהוּ סוֹבֵב. עָלָה שָׁלֹשׁ — זֶהוּ מְקוֹם הַקְּרָנוֹת. גּוֹחוֹת עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ הֵיכִי מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לַהּ! אֶלָּא לָאו, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ אַיְּסוֹד מַנַּח לְהוּ. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.
Mareimar said in the name of Mar Zutra: Learn from it that one places them on the base of the altar and not on the ground, as, if it enters your mind that one places them on the ground, it would pose a difficulty in understanding the mishna. Now, since the following is stated with regard to the structure of the altar: The altar ascended one cubit high and indented one cubit and that is the base, and it ascended five additional cubits and indented one cubit and that is the surrounding ledge, and it ascended three additional cubits and that is the location of the horns of the altar, as the height of the altar totaled nine cubits; consequently, where can you find a case where the willow branches lean over the altar one cubit? Due to the indentations, the branches would need to stand inclined. Eleven cubits would not be sufficiently high to lean one cubit over the altar. Rather, is it not that one must conclude from this that the branches were placed on the base, adding a cubit to their height? The Gemara concludes: Indeed, conclude from it that it is so.
אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: מַאי קְרָאָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבוֹתִים עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל הַנּוֹטֵל לוּלָב בְּאִגּוּדוֹ וַהֲדַס בַּעֲבוֹתוֹ, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ בָּנָה מִזְבֵּחַ וְהִקְרִיב עָלָיו קׇרְבָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:
Rabbi Abbahu said: What is the verse that alludes to the fact that the branches must lean one cubit over the top of the altar? It is as it is stated: “Encircle [isru] with branches on the Festival until the horns of the altar” (Psalms 118:27), indicating that willow branches should surround the horns of the altar. That is facilitated by standing the branches on the base. The Gemara cites derivations based on different interpretations of the terms in that verse. Rabbi Abbahu said that Rabbi Elazar said: With regard to anyone who takes a lulav in its binding and a myrtle branch in its dense-leaved form, the verse ascribes him credit as though he built an altar and sacrificed an offering upon it, as it is stated:
״אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבוֹתִים עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי, וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הַמָּחוֹזִי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן הַמָּכוֹתִי: כׇּל הָעוֹשֶׂה אִיסּוּר לֶחָג בַּאֲכִילָה וּשְׁתִיָּה, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ בָּנָה מִזְבֵּחַ וְהִקְרִיב עָלָיו קׇרְבָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבוֹתִים עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ״.
“Bind [isru] with dense-leaved branches [ba’avotim] on the Festival until the horns of the altar” (Psalms 118:27), which alludes to both the binding of the lulav and to the myrtle branch, referred to in the Torah as the branch of a dense-leaved tree [anaf etz avot]. Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, and Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon HaMeḥozi, who said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan HaMakkoti: With regard to anyone who establishes an addition [issur] to the Festival on the day after the Festival by eating and drinking, the verse ascribes him credit as though he built an altar and sacrificed an offering upon it, as it is stated: “Add [isru] to the Festival with fattened animals [ba’avotim] until the horns of the altar.”
אָמַר חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: כׇּל הַמִּצְוֹת כּוּלָּן אֵין אָדָם יוֹצֵא בָּהֶן אֶלָּא דֶּרֶךְ גְּדִילָתָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עוֹמְדִים״.
§ Apropos the halakha cited by Rabbi Yirmeya in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, the Gemara cites additional halakhot. Ḥizkiya said that Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: With regard to all objects used in performance of each and every one of the mitzvot, a person fulfills his obligation only when the objects are positioned in the manner of their growth. One must take the lulav with the bottom of the branch facing down, as it is stated with regard to the beams of the Tabernacle: “Acacia wood, standing” (Exodus 26:15), indicating that the beams stood in the manner of their growth.
תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: ״עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁעוֹמְדִים דֶּרֶךְ גְּדִילָתָן. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁמַּעֲמִידִין אֶת צִיפּוּיָן. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר אָבַד סִיבְרָם וּבָטַל סִיכּוּיָין, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עוֹמְדִים״ — שֶׁעוֹמְדִים לְעוֹלָם וּלְעוֹלְמֵי עוֹלָמִים.
That was also taught in a baraita: “Acacia wood, standing,” indicating that they stand in the Tabernacle in the manner of their growth in nature. Alternatively, standing means that the beams support their gold plating that is affixed to the beams with nails. Alternatively, standing teaches: Lest you say that after the destruction of the Tabernacle their hope is lost and their prospect is abolished, and they will never serve a sacred purpose again, therefore the verse states: “Acacia wood, standing,” meaning that they stand forever and for all time and will yet be revealed and utilized again.
וְאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: יָכוֹל אֲנִי לִפְטוֹר אֶת כׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ מִן הַדִּין — מִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרֵאתִי עַד עַתָּה, וְאִילְמָלֵי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּנִי עִמִּי — מִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם וְעַד עַכְשָׁיו, וְאִילְמָלֵי יוֹתָם בֶּן עוּזִּיָּהוּ עִמָּנוּ — מִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם עַד סוֹפוֹ.
And Ḥizkiya said that Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: I am able to absolve the entire world from judgment for sins committed from the day I was created until now. The merit that he accrued through his righteousness and the suffering that he endured atone for the sins of the entire world. And were the merit accrued by Eliezer, my son, calculated along with my own, we would absolve the world from judgment for sins committed from the day that the world was created until now. And were the merit accrued by the righteous king, Jotham ben Uzziah, calculated with our own, we would absolve the world from judgment for sins committed from the day that the world was created until its end. The righteousness of these three serves as a counterbalance to all the evil deeds committed throughout the generations, and it validates the ongoing existence of the world.
וְאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: רָאִיתִי בְּנֵי עֲלִיָּיה וְהֵן מוּעָטִין. אִם אֶלֶף הֵן — אֲנִי וּבְנִי מֵהֶן, אִם מֵאָה הֵם — אֲנִי וּבְנִי מֵהֶן, אִם שְׁנַיִם הֵן — אֲנִי וּבְנִי הֵן. וּמִי זוּטְרֵי כּוּלֵּי הַאי? וְהָא אָמַר רָבָא: תַּמְנֵי סְרֵי אַלְפֵי הָוֵה דָּרָא דְּקַמֵּיהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״סָבִיב שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר אָלֶף״! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּמִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה, הָא דְּלָא מִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה.
And Ḥizkiya said that Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: I have seen members of the caste of the spiritually prominent, who are truly righteous, and they are few. If they number one thousand, I and my son are among them. If they number one hundred, I and my son are among them; and if they number two, I and my son are they. The Gemara asks: Are they so few? But didn’t Rava say: There are eighteen thousand righteous individuals in a row before the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “Surrounding are eighteen thousand” (Ezekiel 48:35)? Apparently, the righteous are numerous. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This statement of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai is referring to the very few who view the Divine Presence through a bright, mirror-like partition, while that statement of Rava is referring to those who do not view the Divine Presence through a bright partition.
וּדְמִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה, מִי זוּטְרֵי כּוּלֵּי הַאי? וְהָא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לָא פָּחֵית עָלְמָא מִתְּלָתִין וְשִׁיתָּא צַדִּיקֵי דִּמְקַבְּלִי אַפֵּי שְׁכִינָה בְּכׇל יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַשְׁרֵי כׇּל חוֹכֵי לוֹ״, ״לוֹ״ בְּגִימַטְרִיָּא תְּלָתִין וְשִׁיתָּא הָווּ! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּעָיְילִי בְּבַר, הָא דְּעָיְילִי בְּלָא בַּר.
The Gemara asks further: And are those who view the Divine Presence through a bright partition so few? But didn’t Abaye say: The world has no fewer than thirty-six righteous people in each generation who greet the Divine Presence every day, as it is stated: “Happy are all they that wait for Him [lo]” (Isaiah 30:18)? The numerological value of lo, spelled lamed vav, is thirty-six, alluding to the fact that there are at least thirty-six full-fledged righteous individuals in each generation. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This statement of Abaye is referring to those who enter to greet the Divine Presence by requesting and being granted permission, while that statement of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai is referring to those who enter even without requesting permission, for whom the gates of Heaven are open at all times. They are very few indeed.
בִּשְׁעַת פְּטִירָתָן מָה הֵן אוֹמְרִים וְכוּ׳. וְהָא קָא מִשְׁתַּתַּף שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם וְדָבָר אַחֵר, וְתַנְיָא: כׇּל הַמְשַׁתֵּף שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם וְדָבָר אַחֵר נֶעֱקָר מִן הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בִּלְתִּי לַה׳ לְבַדּוֹ״! הָכִי קָאָמַר: לְיָהּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים, וְלָךְ אָנוּ מְשַׁבְּחִין. לְיָהּ אֲנַחְנוּ מוֹדִים, וְלָךְ אָנוּ מְקַלְּסִין.
§ The mishna asks: At the time of their departure at the end of the Festival, what would they say? The mishna answers that they would praise the altar and glorify God. The Gemara challenges this: But in doing so aren’t they joining the name of Heaven and another entity, and it was taught in a baraita: Anyone who joins the name of Heaven and another entity is uprooted from the world, as it is stated: “He that sacrifices unto the gods, save unto the Lord only, shall be utterly destroyed” (Exodus 22:19)? The Gemara answers that this is what the people are saying when they depart the Temple: To the Lord, we acknowledge that He is our God, and to you, the altar, we give praise; to the Lord, we acknowledge that He is our God, and to you, the altar, we give acclaim. The praise to God and the praise to the altar are clearly distinct.
כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ בַּחוֹל. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן בְּרוֹקָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כַּפּוֹת״, שְׁנַיִם: אַחַת לַלּוּלָב וְאַחַת לְמִזְבֵּחַ. וְרַבָּנַן אָמְרִי: ״כַּפַּת״ כְּתִיב.
§ The mishna continues: As its performance during the week, so is its performance on Shabbat. And according to Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka, on the seventh day of the Festival they would bring palm branches to the Temple. Rav Huna said: What is the rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka? It is as it is written: “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of a date palm” (Leviticus 23:40). Branches in the plural indicates that two branches must be taken, one for the lulav and one for placement around the altar. And the Rabbis say: Although the word is vocalized in the plural, based on tradition it is written kappot, without the letter vav. Therefore, it is interpreted as if it were written kappat, indicating that only one palm branch need be taken.
רַבִּי לֵוִי אוֹמֵר, כְּתָמָר: מָה תָּמָר זֶה אֵין לוֹ אֶלָּא לֵב אֶחָד, אַף יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵין לָהֶם אֶלָּא לֵב אֶחָד לַאֲבִיהֶם שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם.
Rabbi Levi says: The rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka is not based on a verse. Rather, it is a custom that developed to express praise for the Jewish people, likening them to a date palm. Just as the date palm has only one heart, as branches do not grow from its trunk but rather the trunk rises and branches emerge only at the top, so too, the Jewish people have only one heart directed toward their Father in Heaven.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לוּלָב שִׁבְעָה, וְסוּכָּה יוֹם אֶחָד. מַאי טַעְמָא? לוּלָב דְּמַפְסְקִי לֵילוֹת מִיָּמִים, כׇּל יוֹמָא מִצְוָה בְּאַפֵּיהּ נַפְשֵׁיהּ הוּא. סוּכָּה דְּלָא מַפְסְקִי לֵילוֹת מִיָּמִים, כּוּלְּהוּ שִׁבְעָה כְּחַד יוֹמָא אֲרִיכָא דָּמוּ.
§ Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: The blessing over the mitzva of lulav is recited seven days and the blessing over the mitzva of sukka is recited one day. What is the rationale for this distinction? It is written explicitly in the Torah that the mitzva to sit in the sukka applies all seven days. The Gemara explains: With regard to the lulav, where the nights are distinct from the days, as the mitzva of lulav is not in effect at night, each day is a mitzva in and of itself. A separate blessing is recited over each mitzva. However, with regard to sukka, where the nights are not distinct from the days, as the mitzva of sukka is in effect at night just as it is during the day, the legal status of all seven days of the Festival is like that of one long day.
וְרַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: סוּכָּה שִׁבְעָה, וְלוּלָב יוֹם אֶחָד. מַאי טַעְמָא? סוּכָּה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא — שִׁבְעָה, לוּלָב דְּרַבָּנַן — סַגִּי לֵיהּ בְּחַד יוֹמָא.
But Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The blessing over the mitzva of sukka is recited seven days and the blessing over the mitzva of lulav is recited one day. What is the rationale for this distinction? The Gemara explains: The mitzva of sukka is a mitzva by Torah law all seven days of the Festival. Therefore, a blessing is recited for seven days. However, the mitzva of lulav, other than on the first day, is a mitzva by rabbinic law, as the Sages instituted an ordinance to take the lulav for all seven days to commemorate the practice in the Temple. Therefore, it is enough to recite the blessing one day, on the first day.
כִּי אֲתָא רָבִין אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֶחָד זֶה וְאֶחָד זֶה שִׁבְעָה. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: נְקוֹט דְּרַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה בִּידָךְ, דְּכוּלְּהוּ אָמוֹרָאֵי קָיְימִי כְּווֹתֵיהּ בְּסוּכָּה.
When Ravin came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One recites a blessing over both this, the mitzva of sukka, and over that, the mitzva of lulav, all seven days. Rav Yosef said: Take the statement of Rabba bar bar Ḥana in your hand, as all the amora’im who transmitted statements of Rabbi Yoḥanan hold in accordance with his opinion in matters related to sukka.
מֵיתִיבִי:
The Gemara raises an objection based on a baraita:
