BS”D

Sukkah 14a (2)

Teves 7, 5781.  December 22, 2020. 

Some brief  notes from the Shiur: 

1- Firstly, since tomorrow, Friday,  is Asarah b’Teves it is worth noting that the Slichos we will say 

אֲבוֹתַי כִּי בָטְחוּ, בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵי צוּרִי, גָּדְלוּ וְהִצְלִיחוּ, וְגַם עָשׂוּ פֶרִי. וּמֵעֵת הֻדָּחוּ, וְהָלְכוּ עִמּוֹ קֶרִי, הָיוּ הָלוֹךְ וְחָסוֹר, עַד הַחֹדֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִי

was composed by Reb Efraim of Regensburg, (רבינו אפרים) the ראשון. We mentioned a few weeks ago concerning if what today we call ‘canvas’ is actually flax/linen or a different species. He was a student of Rabbeinu Tam and had some (fierce) disagreement with him. 

Reb Efraim hinted to his name in the first four letters of the last four stanzas. 

אָמְרוּ

פְּצָעַי

רַחוּם

יְיָ

מִיָגוֹן

2- Our Mishnah /Gemore topic was if one may use planks of wood for סכך. Reb Yehuda allows it whereas Reb Meir does not. 

Rav’s opinion is that Reb Yehuda allows any size planks of wood to cover the entire Sukkah. Meaning that one could place plywood boards over the entire Sukkah. Reb Meir prohibits it if is wider than 4 טפחים – about 12.5 inches.

 

Shmuel’s opinion is that all agree to פסל it if the planks are wider than 4 טפחים. The argument between Reb Yehuda and Reb Meir is if the boards are between 3-4 טפחים.  

 

3- We returned to the topic if סכך  that does not allow rain to drip into the Sukkah is Kosher. 

The issue is if thick סכך that protects not only from shade but from rain as well is considered more a house than a temporary Sukah. The ראשונים have different opinions about this. 

See here the Alter Rebbe. 631, 5.

4- We spoke about using water as סכך. It comes from the ground and according to some is not מקבל טומאה, so perhaps one can use it. ערוך השולחן. 

How does one use water a סכך? 

If one lives in Siberia can he use a block of ice as סכך? Unlike brittle leaves that are פסול since they will not last 7 days, it is so cold there that ice will not melt.

Even in warmer climates, if one can keep it frozen, would it be כשר? 

Assuming one can indeed use a block of ice, but since the ice block would not allow rain to seep thru, it may be  פסול. …..we pointed out that one would need to puncture holes in it….

Stay warm and have an easy fast.