Rabbi Yochanan said that a sukkah round like a furnace is a good sukkah as long as it has a circumference that could fit 24 people around it. The gemara struggles to understand why the circle needs to be that large. A sukkah of a craftsman – can one use it as a sukkah to fulfill one’s obligation on Sukkot using the inner one? What about the outer one? Are either or both of them obligated in mezuza? Sukkot Ganba”ch and Rakba”sh – acronyms for types of sukkot – can they be used for the holiday of Sukkot?
Sukkah 8
July 15, 2021 | ו׳ באב תשפ״א
Share this shiur:
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
English
עברית
0:00
0:00
0:00
0:00
Today’s daily daf tools:
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
Sukkah 8
הָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּעִיגּוּלָא, אֲבָל בְּרִיבּוּעָא — בָּעֲיָא טְפֵי.
The Gemara answers: This applies only in the middle of the circle that has a circumference of twelve cubits, as the diameter of the circle is four cubits; but in order for a square inscribed within a circle to have a perimeter of sixteen cubits, the circle requires a circumference that is more than twelve cubits.
מִכְּדֵי כַּמָּה מְרוּבָּע יוֹתֵר עַל הָעִיגּוּל — רְבִיעַ, בְּשִׁיתְּסַר סַגִּי?
The Gemara asks further: Now, by how much is the perimeter of a square inscribing a circle greater than the circumference of that circle? It is greater by one quarter of the perimeter of the square. If that is the case, a circle with a circumference of sixteen cubits is sufficient. Why, then, does Rabbi Yoḥanan require a circumference of twenty-four cubits?
הָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּעִיגּוּל דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ רִיבּוּעָא, אֲבָל רִיבּוּעָא דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ עִגּוּלָא — בָּעֵינַן טְפֵי, מִשּׁוּם מוּרְשָׁא דְקַרְנָתָא.
The Gemara answers: This statement with regard to the ratio of the perimeter of a square to the circumference of a circle applies to a circle inscribed in a square, but in the case of a square circumscribed by a circle, the circle requires a greater circumference due to the projection of the corners of the square. In order to ensure that a square whose sides are four cubits each fits neatly into a circle, the circumference of the circle must be greater than sixteen cubits.
מִכְּדֵי כׇּל אַמְּתָא בְּרִיבּוּעָא אַמְּתָא וּתְרֵי חוּמְשֵׁי בַּאֲלַכְסוֹנָא, בְּשִׁיבְסַר נְכֵי חוּמְשָׁא סַגִּיא? לָא דָּק.
The Gemara calculates precisely how much greater the circumference must be in order to circumscribe the four-by-four-cubit square. Now, in every square whose sides each measure one cubit its diagonal measures one and two-fifths cubits, and in a circle that circumscribes a square, the diagonal of the square is the diameter of the circle. In this case, the circumscribed square measures four by four cubits; therefore, the diagonal of the square, which is the diameter of the circle, measures five and three-fifths cubits. Since the Gemara calculates the circumference of the circle as three times its diameter, a circular sukka with a circumference of seventeen cubits minus one-fifth of a cubit should be sufficient. The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yoḥanan was not precise and rounded the dimensions of the circular sukka to a number higher than the absolute minimum.
אֵימוֹר דְּאָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק פּוּרְתָּא, טוּבָא מִי אָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק?
The Gemara wonders: Say that we say that the Sage was not precise when the difference between the number cited and the precise number is slight; however, when the difference is great, do we say the Sage was not precise? After all, Rabbi Yoḥanan stated that the minimum measure is twenty-four cubits, a difference of more than seven cubits.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ מָר קַשִּׁישָׁא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מִי סָבְרַתְּ גַּבְרָא בְּאַמְּתָא יָתֵיב, תְּלָתָא גַּבְרֵי בְּתַרְתֵּי אַמְּתָא יָתְבִי. כַּמָּה הָווּ לְהוּ — שִׁיתְּסַר, אֲנַן שִׁיבְסַר נְכֵי חוּמְשָׁא בָּעֵינַן! לָא דָּק.
Mar Keshisha, i.e., the elder, son of Rav Ḥisda, said to Rav Ashi: Do you hold that when a man sits, he sits and occupies one cubit, and consequently a sukka that seats twenty-four people must have a circumference of twenty-four cubits? In fact, three people sit and occupy two cubits. The Gemara asks: How many cubits are there in the sukka required by Rabbi Yoḥanan? There are sixteen cubits. But we require a sukka with a circumference of seventeen cubits minus one-fifth, as calculated above. The Gemara answers: He was not precise and rounded the figure down to the lower whole number; actually, the required circumference is four-fifths of a cubit larger.
אֵימוֹר דְּאָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק לְחוּמְרָא, לְקוּלָּא מִי אָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק?
The Gemara rejects this explanation: Say that we say that the Sage was not precise when the result is a stringency, e.g., he required a sukka whose dimensions are greater than the minimum required dimensions; however, when the result is a leniency, do we say the Sage was not precise? In that case, the lack of precision will lead to establishing a sukka whose dimensions are smaller than the minimum requirement.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַסִּי לְרַב אָשֵׁי: לְעוֹלָם גַּבְרָא בְּאַמְּתָא יָתֵיב, וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מְקוֹם גַּבְרֵי לָא קָחָשֵׁיב.
Rav Asi said to Rav Ashi: Actually, a man sits and occupies one cubit, and Rabbi Yoḥanan is not factoring the space that the men occupy in his calculation. In other words, to this point, the assumption has been that Rabbi Yoḥanan calculated the circumference of the sukka required to seat twenty-four people. Actually, he merely calculated the circumference of the inner circle formed by the twenty-four people seated.
כַּמָּה הָווּ לְהוּ — תַּמְנֵי סְרֵי, בְּשִׁיבְסַר נְכֵי חוּמְשָׁא סַגִּיא! הַיְינוּ דְּלָא דָּק וּלְחוּמְרָא לָא דָּק.
The Gemara asks: How many cubits are there in the circumference of the inner circle formed by a circle of twenty-four people? There are eighteen cubits. Based on the principle that for every three cubits of circumference there is one cubit of diameter, the diameter of a circle whose outer circumference surrounds twenty-four people is eight cubits. To calculate the circumference of the inner circle, subtract from the diameter the space occupied by two people, each sitting at one end of the diameter. The result is a diameter of six cubits. Based on the above principle, a circle with a diameter of six cubits will have a circumference of eighteen cubits. However, a circumference of seventeen cubits minus one-fifth of a cubit should be sufficient. The Gemara answers: This is the case where he was not precise, and in this case he is not precise when the result is a stringency, as instead of sixteen and four-fifths, Rabbi Yoḥanan required eighteen cubits.
רַבָּנַן דְּקֵיסָרִי, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ דַּיָּינֵי דְקֵיסָרִי אָמְרִי: עִיגּוּלָא דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ רִיבּוּעָא — רִבְעָא,
The Sages of Caesarea, and some say that it was the judges of Caesarea, said that Rabbi Yoḥanan’s statement could be explained using a different calculation: The circumference of a circle inscribed in a square is one–quarter less than the perimeter of the square,
רִיבּוּעָא דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ עִיגּוּלָא — פַּלְגָא. וְלָא הִיא, דְּהָא קָחָזֵינַן דְּלָא הָוֵי כּוּלֵּי הַאי.
while the perimeter of a square circumscribed by a circle is smaller than the circumference of that circle by half, i.e., if one adds half the perimeter of the square to the perimeter of the square, that is equal to the circumference of its circumscribing circle. Therefore, a circle with a circumference of twenty-four cubits would circumscribe a square with a perimeter of sixteen cubits, as prescribed by Rabbi Yoḥanan. The Gemara notes: And that is not the case, as we see that the circumference of the circumscribing circle is not that much. The actual circumference is closer to seventeen cubits.
אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: שְׁתֵּי סוּכּוֹת שֶׁל יוֹצְרִים זוֹ לִפְנִים מִזּוֹ — הַפְּנִימִית אֵינָהּ סוּכָּה, וְחַיֶּיבֶת בִּמְזוּזָה. וְהַחִיצוֹנָה סוּכָּה, וּפְטוּרָה מִן הַמְּזוּזָה.
§ Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Meir: With regard to two craftsmen’s booths, one within the other, as potters would build two booths, an inner one used as living quarters and an outer one for plying their craft and selling their wares, the inner one is not fit for fulfillment of the mitzva of sukka, since the potter resides there year-round and it is not evident during the Festival that he is residing there for the sake of the mitzva of sukka. And since it a permanent residence, it is also obligated in the mitzva of mezuza. And the outer booth is fit for fulfillment of the mitzva of sukka, since he does not reside there year-round, and when he resides there during the Festival it is evident that he is doing so for the sake of the mitzva. Since it is not designated as a year-round residence, but rather serves as an entrance to his residence and a passage for merchants and merchandise, it is not considered a residence and is not obligated in the mitzva of mezuza.
וְאַמַּאי? תִּהְוֵי חִיצוֹנָה כְּבֵית שַׁעַר הַפְּנִימִית, וְתִתְחַיֵּיב בִּמְזוּזָה! מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא קְבִיעַ.
The Gemara asks: Why is the outer booth exempt from the mitzva of mezuza? Let the outer booth be considered like a gatehouse of the inner booth and therefore be obligated in the mitzva of mezuza. The Gemara answers: It is exempt because even the inner booth is not a permanent residence. It requires a mezuza because the potter resides there year-round; however, that alone does not render it a full-fledged residence that would obligate one to affix a mezuza to the outer booth as its gatehouse.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: גַּנְבַּ״ךְ: סוּכַּת גּוֹיִם, סוּכַּת נָשִׁים, סוּכַּת בְּהֵמָה, סוּכַּת כּוּתִים סוּכָּה מִכׇּל מָקוֹם — כְּשֵׁרָה, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁתְּהֵא מְסוּכֶּכֶת כְּהִלְכָתָהּ.
The Sages taught: The booths represented by the mnemonic: Gimmel, nun, beit, kaf, which stands for a booth of gentiles [goyim], a booth of women [nashim], a booth of domesticated animals [behema], a booth of Samaritans [Kutim], a booth of any sort, each is fit for use as a sukka, provided it is roofed in the standard sense. None of them is disqualified due to the one who constructed it or the purpose for which it was constructed.
מַאי ״כְּהִלְכָתָהּ״? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: וְהוּא שֶׁעֲשָׂאָהּ לְצֵל סוּכָּה.
The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the term: In the standard sense? Rav Ḥisda said that it means: And provided that one established the booth to provide shade of a sukka from its roofing, it may be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לְאֵתוֹיֵי: סוּכַּת רַקְבַּ״שׁ. דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: סוּכַּת רַקְבַּ״שׁ: סוּכַּת רוֹעִים, סוּכַּת קַיָּיצִים סוּכַּת בּוּרְגָּנִין סוּכַּת שׁוֹמְרֵי פֵירוֹת, סוּכָּה מִכׇּל מָקוֹם — כְּשֵׁרָה, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁתְּהֵא מְסוּכֶּכֶת כְּהִלְכָתָהּ.
The Gemara asks: What does the phrase: A booth of any sort, come to include? What other booths are included in this generalization? The Gemara answers: It comes to include the booths listed in another baraita with the mnemonic: Reish, kuf, beit, shin, as the Sages taught: The booth known by the mnemonic reish, kuf, beit, shin, which stands for the booth of shepherds [ro’im], the booth of fig driers [kayyatzim], the booth of guards of fields [burganin], the booth of the guards of produce [shomerei peirot], a booth of any sort, each is fit, provided it is roofed in the standard sense.
מַאי ״כְּהִלְכָתָהּ״? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: וְהוּא שֶׁעֲשָׂאָהּ לְצֵל סוּכָּה.
The Gemara asks again: What is the meaning of the term: In the standard sense? Rav Ḥisda said that it means: And provided that one established the booth to provide shade of a sukka, it may be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לְאֵתוֹיֵי: סוּכַּת גַּנְבַּ״ךְ.
The Gemara asks: What does the phrase: A booth of any sort, come to include? The Gemara answers: It comes to include the booths listed in the first baraita cited above with the mnemonic gimmel, nun, beit, kaf.
הַאי תַּנָּא דְּגַנְבַּ״ךְ, אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ גַּנְבַּ״ךְ מִשּׁוּם דִּקְבִיעִי, וְקָא תָּנֵא ״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי רַקְבַּ״שׁ, דְּלָא קְבִיעִי.
The Gemara explains: This tanna who taught and detailed the halakhot of booths of gimmel, nun, beit, kaf did so because the fitness of the booths of gimmel, nun, beit, kaf for use in fulfilling the mitzva of sukka is powerful and more obvious to him because they are permanent structures, even though their builders are not obligated in the mitzva. And he taught: Booths of any sort, to include the booths of reish, kuf, beit, shin, which, although they are seasonal and not permanent structures, may still be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
וְהַאי תַּנָּא דְּרַקְבַּ״שׁ, אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ רַקְבַּ״שׁ, דִּבְנֵי חִיּוּבָא נִינְהוּ, וְתָנֵא ״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי גַּנְבַּ״ךְ, דְּלָאו בְּנֵי חִיּוּבָא נִינְהוּ.
And that other tanna who taught and detailed the halakhot of booths of reish, kuf, beit, shin did so because the fitness of the booths of reish, kuf, beit, shin for use in fulfilling the mitzva of sukka is powerful and more obvious to him because those who constructed the booths are obligated in the mitzva of sukka. And he taught: Booths of any sort, to include the booths of gimmel, nun, beit, kaf, which, although those who constructed them are not obligated in the mitzva, may still be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
Follow 
Today’s daily daf tools:
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
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.
“I got my job through the NY Times” was an ad campaign when I was growing up. I can headline “I got my daily Daf shiur and Hadran through the NY Times”. I read the January 4, 2020 feature on Reb. Michelle Farber and Hadran and I have been participating ever since. Thanks NY Times & Hadran!
Deborah Aschheim
New York, United States
In early January of 2020, I learned about Siyyum HaShas and Daf Yomi via Tablet Magazine’s brief daily podcast about the Daf. I found it compelling and fascinating. Soon I discovered Hadran; since then I have learned the Daf daily with Rabbanit Michelle Cohen Farber. The Daf has permeated my every hour, and has transformed and magnified my place within the Jewish Universe.
Lisa Berkelhammer
San Francisco, CA , United States
In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.
Rhondda May
Atlanta, Georgia, 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
מיתר, ישראל
In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.
Reena Slovin
Worcester, 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!
Wendy Dickstein
Jerusalem, Israel
When I began learning Daf Yomi at the beginning of the current cycle, I was preparing for an upcoming surgery and thought that learning the Daf would be something positive I could do each day during my recovery, even if I accomplished nothing else. I had no idea what a lifeline learning the Daf would turn out to be in so many ways.
Laura Shechter
Lexington, MA, United States
I started learning daf in January, 2020, being inspired by watching the Siyyum Hashas in Binyanei Haumah. I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep up with the task. When I went to school, Gemara was not an option. Fast forward to March, 2022, and each day starts with the daf. The challenge is now learning the intricacies of delving into the actual learning. Hadran community, thank you!
Rochel Cheifetz
Riverdale, NY, United States
After experiences over the years of asking to join gemara shiurim for men and either being refused by the maggid shiur or being the only women there, sometimes behind a mechitza, I found out about Hadran sometime during the tail end of Masechet Shabbat, I think. Life has been much better since then.
Madeline Cohen
London, United Kingdom
Retirement and Covid converged to provide me with the opportunity to commit to daily Talmud study in October 2020. I dove into the middle of Eruvin and continued to navigate Seder Moed, with Rabannit Michelle as my guide. I have developed more confidence in my learning as I completed each masechet and look forward to completing the Daf Yomi cycle so that I can begin again!
Rhona Fink
San Diego, United States
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
Haifa, Israel
I started last year after completing the Pesach Sugiyot class. Masechet Yoma might seem like a difficult set of topics, but for me made Yom Kippur and the Beit HaMikdash come alive. Liturgy I’d always had trouble connecting with took on new meaning as I gained a sense of real people moving through specific spaces in particular ways. It was the perfect introduction; I am so grateful for Hadran!
Debbie Engelen-Eigles
Minnesota, United States
I LOVE learning the Daf. I started with Shabbat. I join the morning Zoom with Reb Michelle and it totally grounds my day. When Corona hit us in Israel, I decided that I would use the Daf to keep myself sane, especially during the days when we could not venture out more than 300 m from our home. Now my husband and I have so much new material to talk about! It really is the best part of my day!
Batsheva Pava
Hashmonaim, Israel
In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.
Reena Slovin
Worcester, United States
Retirement and Covid converged to provide me with the opportunity to commit to daily Talmud study in October 2020. I dove into the middle of Eruvin and continued to navigate Seder Moed, with Rabannit Michelle as my guide. I have developed more confidence in my learning as I completed each masechet and look forward to completing the Daf Yomi cycle so that I can begin again!
Rhona Fink
San Diego, United States
I’ve been studying Talmud since the ’90s, and decided to take on Daf Yomi two years ago. I wanted to attempt the challenge of a day-to-day, very Jewish activity. Some days are so interesting and some days are so boring. But I’m still here.
Wendy Rozov
Phoenix, AZ, United States
Hadran entered my life after the last Siyum Hashaas, January 2020. I was inspired and challenged simultaneously, having never thought of learning Gemara. With my family’s encouragement, I googled “daf yomi for women”. A perfecr fit!
I especially enjoy when Rabbanit Michelle connects the daf to contemporary issues to share at the shabbat table e.g: looking at the Kohen during duchaning. Toda rabba
Marsha Wasserman
Jerusalem, Israel
3 years ago, I joined Rabbanit Michelle to organize the unprecedented Siyum HaShas event in Jerusalem for thousands of women. The whole experience was so inspiring that I decided then to start learning the daf and see how I would go…. and I’m still at it. I often listen to the Daf on my bike in mornings, surrounded by both the external & the internal beauty of Eretz Yisrael & Am Yisrael!
Lisa Kolodny
Raanana, 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.
Michelle Lewis
Beit Shemesh, Israel
“I got my job through the NY Times” was an ad campaign when I was growing up. I can headline “I got my daily Daf shiur and Hadran through the NY Times”. I read the January 4, 2020 feature on Reb. Michelle Farber and Hadran and I have been participating ever since. Thanks NY Times & Hadran!
Deborah Aschheim
New York, United States
Sukkah 8
הָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּעִיגּוּלָא, אֲבָל בְּרִיבּוּעָא — בָּעֲיָא טְפֵי.
The Gemara answers: This applies only in the middle of the circle that has a circumference of twelve cubits, as the diameter of the circle is four cubits; but in order for a square inscribed within a circle to have a perimeter of sixteen cubits, the circle requires a circumference that is more than twelve cubits.
מִכְּדֵי כַּמָּה מְרוּבָּע יוֹתֵר עַל הָעִיגּוּל — רְבִיעַ, בְּשִׁיתְּסַר סַגִּי?
The Gemara asks further: Now, by how much is the perimeter of a square inscribing a circle greater than the circumference of that circle? It is greater by one quarter of the perimeter of the square. If that is the case, a circle with a circumference of sixteen cubits is sufficient. Why, then, does Rabbi Yoḥanan require a circumference of twenty-four cubits?
הָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּעִיגּוּל דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ רִיבּוּעָא, אֲבָל רִיבּוּעָא דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ עִגּוּלָא — בָּעֵינַן טְפֵי, מִשּׁוּם מוּרְשָׁא דְקַרְנָתָא.
The Gemara answers: This statement with regard to the ratio of the perimeter of a square to the circumference of a circle applies to a circle inscribed in a square, but in the case of a square circumscribed by a circle, the circle requires a greater circumference due to the projection of the corners of the square. In order to ensure that a square whose sides are four cubits each fits neatly into a circle, the circumference of the circle must be greater than sixteen cubits.
מִכְּדֵי כׇּל אַמְּתָא בְּרִיבּוּעָא אַמְּתָא וּתְרֵי חוּמְשֵׁי בַּאֲלַכְסוֹנָא, בְּשִׁיבְסַר נְכֵי חוּמְשָׁא סַגִּיא? לָא דָּק.
The Gemara calculates precisely how much greater the circumference must be in order to circumscribe the four-by-four-cubit square. Now, in every square whose sides each measure one cubit its diagonal measures one and two-fifths cubits, and in a circle that circumscribes a square, the diagonal of the square is the diameter of the circle. In this case, the circumscribed square measures four by four cubits; therefore, the diagonal of the square, which is the diameter of the circle, measures five and three-fifths cubits. Since the Gemara calculates the circumference of the circle as three times its diameter, a circular sukka with a circumference of seventeen cubits minus one-fifth of a cubit should be sufficient. The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yoḥanan was not precise and rounded the dimensions of the circular sukka to a number higher than the absolute minimum.
אֵימוֹר דְּאָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק פּוּרְתָּא, טוּבָא מִי אָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק?
The Gemara wonders: Say that we say that the Sage was not precise when the difference between the number cited and the precise number is slight; however, when the difference is great, do we say the Sage was not precise? After all, Rabbi Yoḥanan stated that the minimum measure is twenty-four cubits, a difference of more than seven cubits.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ מָר קַשִּׁישָׁא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מִי סָבְרַתְּ גַּבְרָא בְּאַמְּתָא יָתֵיב, תְּלָתָא גַּבְרֵי בְּתַרְתֵּי אַמְּתָא יָתְבִי. כַּמָּה הָווּ לְהוּ — שִׁיתְּסַר, אֲנַן שִׁיבְסַר נְכֵי חוּמְשָׁא בָּעֵינַן! לָא דָּק.
Mar Keshisha, i.e., the elder, son of Rav Ḥisda, said to Rav Ashi: Do you hold that when a man sits, he sits and occupies one cubit, and consequently a sukka that seats twenty-four people must have a circumference of twenty-four cubits? In fact, three people sit and occupy two cubits. The Gemara asks: How many cubits are there in the sukka required by Rabbi Yoḥanan? There are sixteen cubits. But we require a sukka with a circumference of seventeen cubits minus one-fifth, as calculated above. The Gemara answers: He was not precise and rounded the figure down to the lower whole number; actually, the required circumference is four-fifths of a cubit larger.
אֵימוֹר דְּאָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק לְחוּמְרָא, לְקוּלָּא מִי אָמְרִינַן לָא דָּק?
The Gemara rejects this explanation: Say that we say that the Sage was not precise when the result is a stringency, e.g., he required a sukka whose dimensions are greater than the minimum required dimensions; however, when the result is a leniency, do we say the Sage was not precise? In that case, the lack of precision will lead to establishing a sukka whose dimensions are smaller than the minimum requirement.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַסִּי לְרַב אָשֵׁי: לְעוֹלָם גַּבְרָא בְּאַמְּתָא יָתֵיב, וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מְקוֹם גַּבְרֵי לָא קָחָשֵׁיב.
Rav Asi said to Rav Ashi: Actually, a man sits and occupies one cubit, and Rabbi Yoḥanan is not factoring the space that the men occupy in his calculation. In other words, to this point, the assumption has been that Rabbi Yoḥanan calculated the circumference of the sukka required to seat twenty-four people. Actually, he merely calculated the circumference of the inner circle formed by the twenty-four people seated.
כַּמָּה הָווּ לְהוּ — תַּמְנֵי סְרֵי, בְּשִׁיבְסַר נְכֵי חוּמְשָׁא סַגִּיא! הַיְינוּ דְּלָא דָּק וּלְחוּמְרָא לָא דָּק.
The Gemara asks: How many cubits are there in the circumference of the inner circle formed by a circle of twenty-four people? There are eighteen cubits. Based on the principle that for every three cubits of circumference there is one cubit of diameter, the diameter of a circle whose outer circumference surrounds twenty-four people is eight cubits. To calculate the circumference of the inner circle, subtract from the diameter the space occupied by two people, each sitting at one end of the diameter. The result is a diameter of six cubits. Based on the above principle, a circle with a diameter of six cubits will have a circumference of eighteen cubits. However, a circumference of seventeen cubits minus one-fifth of a cubit should be sufficient. The Gemara answers: This is the case where he was not precise, and in this case he is not precise when the result is a stringency, as instead of sixteen and four-fifths, Rabbi Yoḥanan required eighteen cubits.
רַבָּנַן דְּקֵיסָרִי, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ דַּיָּינֵי דְקֵיסָרִי אָמְרִי: עִיגּוּלָא דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ רִיבּוּעָא — רִבְעָא,
The Sages of Caesarea, and some say that it was the judges of Caesarea, said that Rabbi Yoḥanan’s statement could be explained using a different calculation: The circumference of a circle inscribed in a square is one–quarter less than the perimeter of the square,
רִיבּוּעָא דְּנָפֵיק מִגּוֹ עִיגּוּלָא — פַּלְגָא. וְלָא הִיא, דְּהָא קָחָזֵינַן דְּלָא הָוֵי כּוּלֵּי הַאי.
while the perimeter of a square circumscribed by a circle is smaller than the circumference of that circle by half, i.e., if one adds half the perimeter of the square to the perimeter of the square, that is equal to the circumference of its circumscribing circle. Therefore, a circle with a circumference of twenty-four cubits would circumscribe a square with a perimeter of sixteen cubits, as prescribed by Rabbi Yoḥanan. The Gemara notes: And that is not the case, as we see that the circumference of the circumscribing circle is not that much. The actual circumference is closer to seventeen cubits.
אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: שְׁתֵּי סוּכּוֹת שֶׁל יוֹצְרִים זוֹ לִפְנִים מִזּוֹ — הַפְּנִימִית אֵינָהּ סוּכָּה, וְחַיֶּיבֶת בִּמְזוּזָה. וְהַחִיצוֹנָה סוּכָּה, וּפְטוּרָה מִן הַמְּזוּזָה.
§ Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Meir: With regard to two craftsmen’s booths, one within the other, as potters would build two booths, an inner one used as living quarters and an outer one for plying their craft and selling their wares, the inner one is not fit for fulfillment of the mitzva of sukka, since the potter resides there year-round and it is not evident during the Festival that he is residing there for the sake of the mitzva of sukka. And since it a permanent residence, it is also obligated in the mitzva of mezuza. And the outer booth is fit for fulfillment of the mitzva of sukka, since he does not reside there year-round, and when he resides there during the Festival it is evident that he is doing so for the sake of the mitzva. Since it is not designated as a year-round residence, but rather serves as an entrance to his residence and a passage for merchants and merchandise, it is not considered a residence and is not obligated in the mitzva of mezuza.
וְאַמַּאי? תִּהְוֵי חִיצוֹנָה כְּבֵית שַׁעַר הַפְּנִימִית, וְתִתְחַיֵּיב בִּמְזוּזָה! מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא קְבִיעַ.
The Gemara asks: Why is the outer booth exempt from the mitzva of mezuza? Let the outer booth be considered like a gatehouse of the inner booth and therefore be obligated in the mitzva of mezuza. The Gemara answers: It is exempt because even the inner booth is not a permanent residence. It requires a mezuza because the potter resides there year-round; however, that alone does not render it a full-fledged residence that would obligate one to affix a mezuza to the outer booth as its gatehouse.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: גַּנְבַּ״ךְ: סוּכַּת גּוֹיִם, סוּכַּת נָשִׁים, סוּכַּת בְּהֵמָה, סוּכַּת כּוּתִים סוּכָּה מִכׇּל מָקוֹם — כְּשֵׁרָה, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁתְּהֵא מְסוּכֶּכֶת כְּהִלְכָתָהּ.
The Sages taught: The booths represented by the mnemonic: Gimmel, nun, beit, kaf, which stands for a booth of gentiles [goyim], a booth of women [nashim], a booth of domesticated animals [behema], a booth of Samaritans [Kutim], a booth of any sort, each is fit for use as a sukka, provided it is roofed in the standard sense. None of them is disqualified due to the one who constructed it or the purpose for which it was constructed.
מַאי ״כְּהִלְכָתָהּ״? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: וְהוּא שֶׁעֲשָׂאָהּ לְצֵל סוּכָּה.
The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the term: In the standard sense? Rav Ḥisda said that it means: And provided that one established the booth to provide shade of a sukka from its roofing, it may be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לְאֵתוֹיֵי: סוּכַּת רַקְבַּ״שׁ. דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: סוּכַּת רַקְבַּ״שׁ: סוּכַּת רוֹעִים, סוּכַּת קַיָּיצִים סוּכַּת בּוּרְגָּנִין סוּכַּת שׁוֹמְרֵי פֵירוֹת, סוּכָּה מִכׇּל מָקוֹם — כְּשֵׁרָה, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁתְּהֵא מְסוּכֶּכֶת כְּהִלְכָתָהּ.
The Gemara asks: What does the phrase: A booth of any sort, come to include? What other booths are included in this generalization? The Gemara answers: It comes to include the booths listed in another baraita with the mnemonic: Reish, kuf, beit, shin, as the Sages taught: The booth known by the mnemonic reish, kuf, beit, shin, which stands for the booth of shepherds [ro’im], the booth of fig driers [kayyatzim], the booth of guards of fields [burganin], the booth of the guards of produce [shomerei peirot], a booth of any sort, each is fit, provided it is roofed in the standard sense.
מַאי ״כְּהִלְכָתָהּ״? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: וְהוּא שֶׁעֲשָׂאָהּ לְצֵל סוּכָּה.
The Gemara asks again: What is the meaning of the term: In the standard sense? Rav Ḥisda said that it means: And provided that one established the booth to provide shade of a sukka, it may be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לְאֵתוֹיֵי: סוּכַּת גַּנְבַּ״ךְ.
The Gemara asks: What does the phrase: A booth of any sort, come to include? The Gemara answers: It comes to include the booths listed in the first baraita cited above with the mnemonic gimmel, nun, beit, kaf.
הַאי תַּנָּא דְּגַנְבַּ״ךְ, אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ גַּנְבַּ״ךְ מִשּׁוּם דִּקְבִיעִי, וְקָא תָּנֵא ״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי רַקְבַּ״שׁ, דְּלָא קְבִיעִי.
The Gemara explains: This tanna who taught and detailed the halakhot of booths of gimmel, nun, beit, kaf did so because the fitness of the booths of gimmel, nun, beit, kaf for use in fulfilling the mitzva of sukka is powerful and more obvious to him because they are permanent structures, even though their builders are not obligated in the mitzva. And he taught: Booths of any sort, to include the booths of reish, kuf, beit, shin, which, although they are seasonal and not permanent structures, may still be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
וְהַאי תַּנָּא דְּרַקְבַּ״שׁ, אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ רַקְבַּ״שׁ, דִּבְנֵי חִיּוּבָא נִינְהוּ, וְתָנֵא ״מִכׇּל מָקוֹם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי גַּנְבַּ״ךְ, דְּלָאו בְּנֵי חִיּוּבָא נִינְהוּ.
And that other tanna who taught and detailed the halakhot of booths of reish, kuf, beit, shin did so because the fitness of the booths of reish, kuf, beit, shin for use in fulfilling the mitzva of sukka is powerful and more obvious to him because those who constructed the booths are obligated in the mitzva of sukka. And he taught: Booths of any sort, to include the booths of gimmel, nun, beit, kaf, which, although those who constructed them are not obligated in the mitzva, may still be used to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.
Follow
