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 Summary 

 Mishna: 

 Rabbi Yehuda: The lulav may only be tied with its own kind. 

 Rabbi Meir: Even with a string.

 Rabbi Meir: The anshei Yerushalayim would bind their lulavim with gold wire.

 They said to him: It was actually tied with its own kind, they covered it with strips of gold for ornamental purposes.

 Gemara: 

 Rava: Even the [loose] bark of the palm tree, or its roots [is considered ‘its kind’ by Rabbi Yehuda].

 Rava: Rabbi Yehuda’s reasoning is that “Lulav tzarich agad”, since that’s the case, binding it with another kind would mean that you’re taking 5 minim instead of 4 (see 25.3 for the explanation of Tosfos). 

 Rava: I have proof that the bark and roots are considered the lulav’s ‘kind’ from this beraisa: 

“You should dwell in sukkos” Rabbi Meir: It [the schach] can be made of any kind. Rabbi Yehuda: Only from the 4 species of the lulav. This can be derived logically. Since lulav which is only taken during the daytime, must be of the four species, certainly sukkah which applies even during the night, must be of the 4 species.

 They said to him: A kal vachomer [a logical argument which intends to apply a stricter standard] which results in a leniency, is not a valid kal vachomer. This will result in a leniency, because what if he doesn’t have the 4 species, should he remain without a sukkah? The Torah says “You should dwell in sukkos”, it means that everybody, even those who don’t have access to the 4 species, should build sukkos. 

Additionally there’s a proof from the possuk in Ezra which mentions other species as well “Go out to the mountain and bring olive leaves, oil leaves, hadassim, lulavim and aravos” (10.3).

 (Rava’s proof will be continued tomorrow)