12.3 - Sukkah Daf 14 A (9 lines after spreads)

Today’s learning sponsored by Sponsor a day's learning (thousands of minutes!) for only $72 click here *https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/ODUwOTU* Summary Rabbi Elazar: Why are the prayers of the righteous (vaye’etar) compared to a pitchfork (eter) ? A pitchfork can turn over grain and transport it to a different corner of the granary and the prayers of the righteous can ‘change the mind’ of Hakadosh Barch Hu from a ‘place’ of harshness to a ‘place’ of mercy. Mishna: Boards can be used for schach. - Rabbi Yehuda. Rabbi Meir: They cannot be used. A board that is 4 tefachim wide may be used, but one should not sleep under it. Gemara: Rav: Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda argue about a board that is 4 tefachim wide. Rabbi Meir does not allow it because of ‘gezeiras tikrag' [it looks like a roof]. Rabbi Yehuda does allow it because it fits the criterion for schach (9.3) [it grows from the ground and is not mekabel tumah]. If the board is less than 4 tefachim wide, Rabbi Meir agrees that it no longer resembles a roof and is kosher. (Acharonim say that nowadays even narrow boards are used in construction and therefore it is proper not to use any boards). Shmuel: Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda argue about a board that is less than 4 tefachim wide. If the board is 4 tefachim wide, Rabbi Yehuda agrees that it resembles a roof and is not kosher. Challenge: If the board is very narrow, it can be considered a stick, so why does Rabbi Meir disqualify anything less than 4 tefachim? Rav Papa: This is what Shmuel said: If the board is 4 tefachim wide, everyone agrees that it cannot be used. If it’s less than 3 tefachim wide, everyone agrees that it can be used; it’s just like sticks. They argue when it’s between 3 and 4 tefachim. Rabbi Yehuda holds that since it’s less than “a significant space” (8.2), it’s kosher. Rabbi Meir holds that since it’s more than lavud (3.2), it’s possul. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate