Daily Daf Differently

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 12.

The principle of Taaseh v’lo Min He’Asui (Make It! And don’t use something that is already made) extends beyond the rules of Schach throughout Jewish law. As in so many cases, it is the action itself, which is at the essence of Jewish life.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 11.

Does our Sukkah represent the actual booths that we built in the desert or the Ananei Kavod (the Clouds of Glory) that protected us as we walked through the wilderness? According to the Vilna Gaon and the Pri Tzaddik, there may be a third option.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Lewis Warshauer looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 10.

The discussion of the validity of a sukkah built on top of another continues. A new Mishnah raises the issue of a sukkah in which a sheet is spread above or below the roofing, or over a bed that has been placed in the sukkah. The Gemara discusses whether or not such a sheet – or other items–could be considered decorative and not structural, in which case they could be permitted–if the decorations do not compromise the minimum required height of the sukkah. In illustration of this topic, the Gemara cites an episode in which Sages visited a sukkah in which there were hanging decorations.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Lewis Warshauer looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 9.

This page begins with a continuation of the Mishnah, which records a debate about the validity, for the purposes of the festival, of a sukkah that was built a month or more before the festival and/or for a purpose other than the festival. The question of the validity of a sukkah built during the festival is also discussed. On the subject of purpose-made, the Gemara draws a comparison to tziziot, the ritual fringes on garments, and whether they need to be made for the purpose of the commandment that mandates wearing them. A new Mishnah introduces question of the validity of a sukkah built under a tree and a sukkah built on top of another sukkah, which the Gemara then proceeds to discuss.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Lewis Warshauer looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 8.

The discussion about the validity of a circular sukkah continues, with mathematical calculations about how to achieve a circular area large enough to fulfill the requirement that a sukkah have dimensions of at least four by four cubits. The discussion about the teaching that the sukkah accommodate twenty-four people also continues. A different topic arises: in what ways can the consideration of the validity of a sukkah for the festival of Sukkot be informed by discussing other types of booths (also called sukkot) not built for a purpose other than celebrating the festival. These could include booths used by craftsmen, shepherds, field workers, and others. One consideration is that a booth built in order to provide shade and shelter could also be used as a sukkah for the festival.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Lewis Warshauer looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 7.

The Gemara continues the discussion of the required dimensions of the third wall of a sukkah, and raises the issue of a sukkah built in an alleyway. Among other considerations, is the validity of a sukkah built in an alleyway or from upright boards surrounding a well. A further teaching relates the issue of the third wall of a sukkah to the required measure of a partition that demarcates public and private space, a consideration in the laws of Shabbat. The Gemara discusses the Mishnah’s mandate that the shade cast by a sukkah’s roofing be greater than the sunlight that comes through. After considering the validity of a sukkah built on a ship or wagon, the Gemara then considers the validity of a circular sukkah and whether a sukkah should be judged as valid based on whether it can accommodate twenty-four people– or, perhaps, twelve suffice.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Lewis Warshauer looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 6.

Exploring the topic of oral teachings transmitted by God to Moses at Sinai, the Gemara questions whether certain other halakhic measurements are determined by such teachings or rather from a Torah verse listing the seven fruits of the land of Israel. On a related topic, the question arises as to whether teachings transmitted to Moses at Sinai can account for certain rules about immersion in a mikveh and requirements for partitions. A new topic: what are the implications of the requirement that a sukkah have at least three walls? What is the minimum length of the third wall?

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Lewis Warshauer looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 5.

Based on the teaching that the ten handbreadth minimum height of a sukkah derives from the Torah’s stated measurements of the ark of the covenant, the Gemara discusses the idea of the ark’s cover as the meeting point between heaven and earth, and then considers the possibility that the thickness of the cover might be derived from applications of the word panim, face. This leads to a discussion of the faces of the cherubim, the sculpted figures on the ark cover. The suggestion is then made that the minimum height of a sukkah derives not from the ark, but from the dimensions of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. The page ends with the further suggestion that perhaps the minimum height of a sukkah is not derived from the Bible at all but rather from an oral teaching transmitted by God to Moses at Sinai.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Lewis Warshauer looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 4.

Continuing a discussion begun on the previous page, the Gemara discusses the possible remedies for a sukkah that exceeds the maximum permissible height of twenty cubits: what is effect of raising the flooring or lowering the roofing. As far as sukkah that is lower than the permissible minimum of ten handbreadths–what circumstances make it possible to achieve the minimum height? Another consideration: the fitness of a sukkah made by erecting structures inside of or on top of an existing sukkah. The page ends with a teaching that the ten handbreadth minimum height of a sukkah is derived from the Torah’s stated measurements of the ark of the covenant and its cover.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Jan R. Uhrbach looks at Masechet Sukkah Daf 3.

Big-tent Judaism: are super-small personalized sukkot ok?

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.