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Yoma 10

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Summary

Today’s daf is sponsored by Ellen Golub in loving memory of her aunt, Lottie Cohen, on her seventh yahrzeit. “Auntie Lottie spoke a beautiful Yiddish and was a woman of extraordinary patience, love, and generosity of spirit. Yehi zichrona li’vracha.” And by Yoni Bock to his partner Ron Kaplan on achieving a half-century milestone. “From never having studied a page of Talmud to taking time to tackle daf yomi daily, you are an inspiration. Happy birthday! Ad meah v’esrim.” And for a refuah shleima for  Noach Avraham ben Batya Shana.

How do we know the Persians came from Yefet? The gemara brings lists of names in Genesis Chapter 10 and explains what they are referring to. Will the Persians fall into the hands of the Romans or the reverse? Is the Lishkat Parhedrin obligated in a mezuza or not? Rabbi Yehuda and the rabbis disagree. They also have the same a similar debate regarding a mezuza on a sukka but their opinions there contradict their opinions here. How is that contradiction resolved?

Yoma 10

אַף עַל גַּב דְּ״יַפְתְּ אֱלֹהִים לְיֶפֶת״ — אֵין הַשְּׁכִינָה שׁוֹרָה אֶלָּא בְּאׇהֳלֵי שֵׁם.

The Gemara explains: Although God will enlarge Japheth, referring to the Persians, who descended from Japheth and who assisted in constructing the Second Temple, the Divine Presence rests only in the tents of Shem, in the First Temple, which was built by King Solomon without the patronage of a foreign power.

וּפָרְסָאֵי מְנָא לַן דְּמִיֶּפֶת קָאָתוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּנֵי יֶפֶת גּוֹמֶר וּמָגוֹג וּמָדַי וְיָוָן וְתוּבָל וּמֶשֶׁךְ וְתִירָס״. גּוֹמֶר — זֶה גֶּרְמַמְיָא, מָגוֹג — זוֹ קַנְדִּיָּא, מָדַי — זוֹ מַקֵדוֹנְיָא, יָוָן — כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ, תּוּבָל — זֶה בֵּית אוּנַיְיקִי, מֶשֶׁךְ — זוֹ מוּסְיָא, תִּירָס, פְּלִיגִי בַּהּ רַבִּי סִימַאי וְרַבָּנַן, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַבִּי סִימוֹן וְרַבָּנַן, חַד אָמַר: זוֹ בֵּית תְּרַיְיקִי, וְחַד אָמַר: זוֹ פָּרַס. תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: תִּירָס — זוֹ פָּרַס.

§ The Gemara asks: From where do we derive that the Persians descend from Japheth? The Gemara answers: As it is written: “The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tuval and Meshech and Tiras (Genesis 10:2). The Gemara explains: Gomer, that is Germamya; Magog, that is Kandiya; Madai, that is Macedonia; Javan, in accordance with its plain meaning, Greece; Tuval, that is the nation called Beit Unaiki; Meshech, that is Musya. With regard to Tiras, Rabbi Simai and the Rabbis disagree, and some say the dispute is between Rabbi Simon and the Rabbis: One said: That is Beit Teraiki, and one said: That is Persia. According to that approach, Persia is listed among the descendants of Japheth. Rav Yosef taught: Tiras is Persia.

״סַבְתָּה וְרַעְמָה וְסַבְתְּכָא״, תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: סַקִּיסְתָּן גַּוָּיְיתָא וְסַקִּיסְתָּן בָּרַיְיתָא, בֵּין חֲדָא לַחֲדָא מְאָה פַּרְסֵי, וְהֶיקֵּפַהּ אַלְפָּא פַּרְסֵי.

The list of nations continues: “And Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca” (Genesis 10:7). Rav Yosef taught: These are the inner Sakistan and the outer Sakistan. Between one and the other there was a distance of one hundred parasangs, and the circumference of the land was one thousand parasangs.

״וַתְּהִי רֵאשִׁית מַמְלַכְתּוֹ בָּבֶל וְאֶרֶךְ וְאַכַּד וְכַלְנֵה״, בָּבֶל — כְּמַשְׁמְעָה, אֶרֶךְ — זֶה אוֹרִיכוּת, וְאַכַּד — זֶה בַּשְׁכַּר, כַּלְנֵה — זֶה נוּפַר נִינְפִי.

The Gemara continues interpreting the verses. It is stated: “And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar” (Genesis 10:10). Babel in accordance with its plain meaning, Babylonia; Erech, that is the city known then as Orikhut; and Accad, that is the place known then as Baskar; Calneh, that is Nofer Ninefi.

״מִן הָאָרֶץ הָהִיא יָצָא אַשּׁוּר״, תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: אַשּׁוּר — זֶה סִילַק. ״וַיִּבֶן אֶת נִינְוֵה וְאֶת רְחוֹבוֹת עִיר וְאֶת כָּלַח״, נִינְוֵה — כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ, רְחוֹבוֹת עִיר — זוֹ פְּרָת דְּמֵישָׁן, כָּלַח — זוֹ פְּרָת דְּבוֹרְסִיף. ״וְאֶת רֶסֶן בֵּין נִינְוֵה וּבֵין כָּלַח הִיא הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה״, רֶסֶן — זֶה אַקְטִיסְפוֹן. ״הִיא הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה״ — אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אִם נִינְוֵה הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה, אִם רֶסֶן הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה. כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר ״וְנִינְוֵה הָיְתָה עִיר גְּדוֹלָה לֵאלֹהִים מַהֲלַךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים״, הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: נִינְוֵה הִיא הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה.

The Torah continues: “Out of that land went forth Asshur (Genesis 10:11). Rav Yosef taught: Asshur, that is Silek, meaning that is the region where the town Silkiya was built. “And built Nineveh and Rehoboth-ir and Calah” (Genesis 10:11). Nineveh, in accordance with its plain meaning; Rehovoth-ir, that is the town later known as Perat of Meishan; Calah, that is Perat of Bursif. “And Resen between Nineveh and Calah, it is the great city” (Genesis 10:12). Resen, that is the town later known as Akteisfon. It is the great city; I do not know whether this means that Nineveh is the great city, or whether it means that Resen is the great city. When it says: “And Nineveh was a great city of God, a three-day journey across” (Jonah 3:3), you must say that Nineveh is the great city.

״וְשָׁם אֲחִימַן שֵׁשַׁי וְתַלְמַי יְלִידֵי הָעֲנָק״, תָּנָא: אֲחִימַן — מְיוּמָּן שֶׁבָּאַחִים, שֵׁשַׁי — שֶׁמֵּשִׂים אֶת הָאָרֶץ כִּשְׁחִיתוֹת, תַּלְמַי — שֶׁמֵּשִׂים אֶת הָאָרֶץ תְּלָמִים תְּלָמִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֲחִימַן בָּנָה עֲנָת, שֵׁשַׁי בָּנָה אָלוּשׁ, תַּלְמַי בָּנָה תַּלְבּוּשׁ. ״יְלִידֵי הָעֲנָק״ — שֶׁמַּעֲנִיקִין הַחַמָּה בְּקוֹמָתָן.

The Gemara continues to discuss the interpretation of names in the Bible. The Torah says: “And there were Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak” (Numbers 13:22). It was taught: Ahiman was so called because he was the greatest and most skillful [meyuman] of his brothers. Ahiman is a contraction of brother [aḥ] and right [yamin], which is the skilled hand. Sheshai was so called because he renders the ground like pits [sheḥitot] with his strides. Talmai was so called because he renders the ground filled with furrows [telamim] with his strides. Alternatively: Ahiman built the city of Anat; Sheshai built the town Alush; Talmai built the city of Talbush. The children of Anak is referring to the fact that it appears that the sun is a necklace [shema’anikin] around their necks because of their height.

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר רַבִּי: עֲתִידָה רוֹמִי שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד פָּרַס, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָכֵן שִׁמְעוּ עֲצַת ה׳ אֲשֶׁר יָעַץ (עַל) אֱדוֹם וּמַחְשְׁבוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר חָשַׁב (עַל) יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵימָן אִם לֹא יִסְחָבוּם צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן אִם לֹא יַשִּׁים עֲלֵיהֶם נְוֵהֶם״.

§ Apropos the opinion that Tiras is Persia, the Gemara addresses a related matter. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: Rome is destined to fall into the hands of Persia, as it is stated: “Now hear the plan that the Lord has devised for Edom, and the thoughts He has considered for the residents of Teiman. Surely the youngest of the flock will drag them away, surely their habitation will be appalled due to them” (Jeremiah 49:20).

מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַבָּה בַּר עוּלָּא: מַאי מַשְׁמַע דְּהַאי ״צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן״ פָּרַס הוּא — דִּכְתִיב: ״הָאַיִל אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתָ בַּעַל הַקְּרָנָיִם (הוּא) מַלְכֵי מָדַי וּפָרָס״. וְאֵימָא יָוָן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהַצָּפִיר הַשָּׂעִיר מֶלֶךְ יָוָן״!

Rabba bar Ulla strongly objected to this. From where may it be inferred that this phrase: Youngest of the flock, is Persia? It is as it is written: “The ram that you saw sporting two horns are the kings of Media and Persia” (Daniel 8:20), and the ram is a member of the flock mentioned in the verse. Still, how is that proof? And say that youngest of the flock refers to Greece, who will overthrow Rome, as it is written: “The goat is the king of Greece” (Daniel 8:21). The goat, too, could be characterized as a member of the flock.

כִּי סְלֵיק רַב חֲבִיבָא בַּר סוֹרְמַקִי, אַמְרַהּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּהָהוּא מֵרַבָּנַן, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאן דְּלָא יָדַע פָּרוֹשֵׁי קְרָאֵי מוֹתֵיב תְּיוּבְתָּא לְרַבִּי?! מַאי ״צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן״ — זוּטְרָא דַּאֲחוֹהִי. דְּתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: תִּירָס — זֶה פָּרַס.

When Rav Ḥaviva bar Surmakei ascended from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael, he stated this difficulty before a certain one of the Sages. That Sage said to him: One who does not know how to interpret verses is so arrogant that he raises an objection to the opinion of the great Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi? Indeed, Rabba bar Ulla misunderstood the basis of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s interpretation. What is the meaning of the phrase: The youngest of the flock? It means the youngest of the brothers, a reference to Persia, as Rav Yosef taught: Tiras, the youngest of Japheth’s sons, that is Persia.

אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי אִלְעַאי: עֲתִידָה רוֹמִי שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד פָּרַס, קַל וָחוֹמֶר: וּמָה מִקְדָּשׁ רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁבְּנָאוּהוּ בְּנֵי שֵׁם וְהֶחְרִיבוּהוּ כַּשְׂדִּיִּים — נָפְלוּ כַּשְׂדִּיִּים בְּיַד פָּרְסִיִּים. מִקְדָּשׁ שֵׁנִי שֶׁבְּנָאוּהוּ פָּרְסִיִּים וְהֶחְרִיבוּהוּ רוֹמִיִּים — אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיִּפְּלוּ רוֹמִיִּים בְּיַד פָּרְסִיִּים?

Similarly, Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda, son of Rabbi Elai: Rome is destined to fall into the hands of Persia. This is derived by means of an a fortiori inference: Just as the First Temple, that the descendants of Shem built it and the Chaldeans destroyed it, and in turn the Chaldeans, ruled by Belshazzar, fell to Persians, ruled by Darius the Mede and his son-in-law Cyrus the Persian; the Second Temple, that the Persians built it and the Romans destroyed it, is it not right that the Romans will fall into the hands of the Persians?

אָמַר רַב: עֲתִידָה פָּרַס שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד רוֹמִי. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ רַב כָּהֲנָא וְרַב אַסִּי לְרַב: בָּנוֹיֵי בְּיַד סָתוֹרֵי?! אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִין, גְּזֵירַת מֶלֶךְ הִיא. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי, אֲמַר (לֵיהּ): אִינְהוּ נָמֵי הָא קָא סָתְרִי בֵּי כְנִישְׁתָּא.

In contrast, Rav said: Persia is destined to fall into the hands of Rome. Rav Kahana and Rav Asi, Rav’s students, said to Rav: The builders will fall into the hands of the destroyers? Is that justice? He said to them: Although it seems unjust, yes, that is the King’s decree. Some say that he said this to them: They, too, are destroyers of synagogues, and they are no better than the Romans.

תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: עֲתִידָה פָּרַס שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד רוֹמִי, חֲדָא — דְּסָתְרִי בֵּי כְנִישְׁתָּא, וְעוֹד: גְּזֵירַת מֶלֶךְ הוּא שֶׁיִּפְּלוּ בּוֹנִין בְּיַד סוֹתְרִין. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁתִּפְשׁוֹט מַלְכוּת רוֹמִי הָרְשָׁעָה בְּכׇל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ תִּשְׁעָה חֳדָשִׁים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָכֵן יִתְּנֵם עַד עֵת יוֹלֵדָה יָלָדָה וְיֶתֶר אֶחָיו יְשׁוּבוּן עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״.

That was also taught in a baraita: Persia is destined to fall into the hands of Rome. One reason is that they destroyed synagogues. And furthermore, it is the King’s decree that the builders will fall into the hands of the destroyers, as Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: The son of David will come only when the wicked kingdom of Rome spreads its dominance throughout the world for nine months, as it is stated: “Therefore He will give them up until she who is to bear has borne; then the remnants of his brethren will return with the children of Israel (Micah 5:2). The duration of Rome’s rule over the world will be the duration of a pregnancy, nine months.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כׇּל הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁהָיוּ בְּמִקְדָּשׁ לֹא הָיוּ לָהֶן מְזוּזָה, חוּץ מִלִּשְׁכַּת פַּרְהֶדְרִין, שֶׁהָיָה בָּהּ בֵּית דִּירָה לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל.

§ The Gemara resumes the discussion of the High Priest’s relocation to the Parhedrin chamber. The Rabbis taught: None of the chambers in the Temple had a mezuza except for the Chamber of Parhedrin, in which there was a place of residence of the High Priest. Only residences in which one sleeps require a mezuza, and the only chamber in the Temple that fits that description was the Parhedrin chamber.

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: וַהֲלֹא כַּמָּה לְשָׁכוֹת הָיוּ בְּמִקְדָּשׁ שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶן בֵּית דִּירָה, וְלֹא הָיָה לָהֶן מְזוּזָה? אֶלָּא לִשְׁכַּת פַּרְהֶדְרִין גְּזֵירָה הָיְתָה.

Rabbi Yehuda said: That is not the reason; after all, weren’t there several chambers in the Temple in which there was a place of residence designated for priests to sit and sleep, and yet they did not have a mezuza? Rather, the mezuza in the Chamber of Parhedrin was there because there was a rabbinic decree.

מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה? אָמַר (רָבָא): קָסָבַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: כׇּל בַּיִת שֶׁאֵינוֹ עָשׂוּי לִימוֹת הַחַמָּה וְלִימוֹת הַגְּשָׁמִים — אֵינוֹ בַּיִת. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי, וְהָכְתִיב: ״וְהִכֵּיתִי (אֶת) בֵּית הַחוֹרֶף עַל בֵּית הַקָּיִץ״! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״בֵּית חוֹרֶף״ וּ״בֵית קַיִץ״ אִיקְּרִי, ״בַּיִת״ סְתָמָא לָא אִיקְּרִי.

The Gemara asks: What is the reason for the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda that there was no fundamental obligation to affix a mezuza in the Parhedrin chamber, and that one was affixed there due to a decree? Rava said that Rabbi Yehuda holds: The legal status of any house that is not designated for residence both for the summer and for the rainy season is not that of a house and therefore does not require a mezuza. Abaye raised an objection to his opinion from a verse. How could you suggest that the legal status of a residence occupied for only part of the year is not that of a house? Isn’t it written: “I will strike the winter-house with the summer-house” (Amos 3:15)? Apparently, even a residence occupied only half the year is a house. Rava said to him: A residence occupied only part of the year may be called the winter-house or the summer-house. It is not called a house unmodified. A house is a structure used year round.

אֵיתִיבֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: סוּכַּת הֶחָג בֶּחָג, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה מְחַיֵּיב וַחֲכָמִים פּוֹטְרִין. וְתָנֵי עֲלַהּ: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה מְחַיֵּיב בְּעֵירוּב וּבִמְזוּזָה וּבְמַעֲשֵׂר!

Abaye raised a different objection to the opinion of Rava, from a mishna: If one brought produce from the field into the sukka that he constructed for the festival of Sukkot on the festival of Sukkot, Rabbi Yehuda obligates him to tithe the produce and the Rabbis exempt him from tithing the produce. And it was taught concerning the mishna: Rabbi Yehuda obligates the owner of that sukka to include the sukka in the joining of courtyards, like any of the houses in the courtyard; and in the mitzva of affixing a mezuza in the sukka; and in separating tithes from produce brought into the sukka. One is obligated to tithe his produce only when its processing has been completed. When he brings the produce into the house, he is obligated to tithe it. Rabbi Yehuda holds that the legal status of a sukka, in which one resides for a mere seven days, is that of a house in terms of the mitzva of mezuza.

וְכִי תֵּימָא מִדְּרַבָּנַן, בִּשְׁלָמָא עֵירוּב וּמְזוּזָה אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר מִדְּרַבָּנַן, אֶלָּא מַעֲשֵׂר, מִי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר מִדְּרַבָּנַן?

And if you say that Rabbi Yehuda rules that by rabbinic law the status of the sukka is like that of a house, but that by Torah law his opinion is consistent with Rava’s opinion, granted, with regard to the joining of courtyards and mezuza, it is possible to say that the obligation is by rabbinic law; however, with regard to tithes, is it possible to say that according to Rabbi Yehuda the obligation is by rabbinic law?

דִּילְמָא אָתֵי לְאַפְרוֹשֵׁי מִן הַחִיּוּב עַל הַפְּטוּר וּמִן הַפְּטוּר עַל הַחִיּוּב.

In that case, there is the concern lest one come to separate tithes from the obligated produce to fulfill the obligation for the exempt produce, or from the exempt produce to fulfill the obligation for the obligated produce. Produce that one is obligated to tithe by rabbinic law has the status of exempt produce by Torah law. Since it is difficult to distinguish between produce that one is obligated to tithe by Torah law and produce that one is obligated to tithe by rabbinic law, one might seek to fulfill his obligation by separating tithes from one for the other. In both cases, both the produce designated as a tithe and the produce for which it was tithed would retain the status of untithed produce. Therefore, Rabbi Yehuda could not have said that a sukka is considered a house by rabbinic law.

אֶלָּא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בְּשִׁבְעָה — דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא פְּלִיגִי דְּמִיחַיְּיבָא. כִּי פְּלִיגִי בִּשְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה. רַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: גָּזְרִינַן שְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה אַטּוּ שִׁבְעָה, וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: לָא גָּזְרִינַן.

Rather, Abaye said: The dispute with regard to the mezuza in the Parhedrin chamber must be explained differently. During the seven days that the High Priest lives in the Parhedrin chamber during his sequestering, everyone agrees that the chamber is obligated in the mitzva to affix a mezuza there. When they disagree is with regard to the rest of the days of the year, when no one resides there. The Rabbis hold: We issue a decree and require that a mezuza be affixed during the rest of the year due to those seven days that the High Priest lives there; and Rabbi Yehuda holds: We do not issue that decree, and there is no obligation to affix a mezuza to the chamber the rest of the year.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: וְהָא סוּכַּת הֶחָג בֶּחָג קָתָנֵי?

Rava said to him: But isn’t it taught in the mishna cited above: The sukka that he constructed for the festival of Sukkot on the festival of Sukkot? Apparently, contrary to the opinion of Abaye, the dispute is whether or not there is an obligation to affix a mezuza to the sukka during the Festival itself. If, as Abaye said, the tanna’im agree that there is an obligation to affix a mezuza during the festival of Sukkot even though it is used for only a brief period, on what basis do the Rabbis rule that there is no obligation even on the Festival itself?

אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: בִּשְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא פְּלִיגִי דִּפְטוּרָה. כִּי פְּלִיגִי בְּשִׁבְעָה. וְסוּכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד, וְלִשְׁכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד.

Rather, Rava said: During the rest of the days of the year, everyone agrees that the Parhedrin chamber is exempt from the obligation to affix a mezuza there. When they disagree is with regard to the seven days that the High Priest lives there, and with regard to a sukka during the Festival. And in order to resolve the contradiction between the opinions about the obligation of the chamber and of the sukka, the Gemara asserts: With regard to the sukka the reason is discrete, and with regard to the chamber the reason is discrete.

סוּכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד — רַבִּי יְהוּדָה לְטַעְמֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר: סוּכָּה דִּירַת קֶבַע בָּעֵינַן, וּמִיחַיְּיבָא בִּמְזוּזָה. וְרַבָּנַן לְטַעְמַיְיהוּ, דְּאָמְרִי: סוּכָּה דִּירַת עֲרַאי בָּעֵינַן, וְלָא מִיחַיְּיבָא בִּמְזוּזָה.

The Gemara explains: With regard to sukka, the reason is discrete. Rabbi Yehuda conforms to his standard line of reasoning, as he said: In order to fulfill the mitzva of sukka, we require a well-built permanent residence. A permanent residence is obligated in the mitzva of mezuza. The Rabbis conform to their standard line of reasoning, as they say: In order to fulfill the mitzva of sukka, we require a temporary residence, not a full-fledged house. A temporary residence is not obligated in the mitzva of mezuza.

וְלִשְׁכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד, רַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: דִּירָה בְּעַל כׇּרְחָהּ שְׁמָהּ דִּירָה. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: דִּירָה בְּעַל כׇּרְחָהּ לֹא שְׁמָהּ דִּירָה, וּמִדְּרַבָּנַן הוּא דְּתַקִּינוּ לַהּ, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ: כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל חָבוּשׁ בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִין.

And similarly, with regard to the chamber, the reason is discrete. The Rabbis hold: A residence in which one resides involuntarily is nevertheless considered a residence. Although the High Priest resides in the Parhedrin chamber due to a mitzva and not of his own volition, its legal status is that of a residence and a mezuza must be affixed. And Rabbi Yehuda holds: A residence in which one resides involuntarily is not considered a residence. Therefore, there should be no obligation to affix a mezuza in the Parhedrin chamber, just as there is no obligation to do so in the other Temple chambers in which priests reside. However, the Sages instituted this obligation by rabbinic law so that people will not say: The High Priest is imprisoned in jail, as only in substandard residences that appear unfit for residence is there no obligation to affix a mezuza.

מַאן תְּנָא לְהָא דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן:

Who is the tanna who taught the following baraita? As the Sages taught:

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The Hadran Women’s Tapestry

Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories. 

I started with Ze Kollel in Berlin, directed by Jeremy Borowitz for Hillel Deutschland. We read Masechet Megillah chapter 4 and each participant wrote his commentary on a Sugia that particularly impressed him. I wrote six poems about different Sugiot! Fascinated by the discussions on Talmud I continued to learn with Rabanit Michelle Farber and am currently taking part in the Tikun Olam course.
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Yael Merlini

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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.
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Sarene Shanus

Mamaroneck, NY, United States

In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!

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Beth Kissileff

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I never thought I’d be able to do Daf Yomi till I saw the video of Hadran’s Siyum HaShas. Now, 2 years later, I’m about to participate in Siyum Seder Mo’ed with my Hadran community. It has been an incredible privilege to learn with Rabbanit Michelle and to get to know so many caring, talented and knowledgeable women. I look forward with great anticipation and excitement to learning Seder Nashim.

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Caroline Ben-Ari

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My curiosity was peaked after seeing posts about the end of the last cycle. I am always looking for opportunities to increase my Jewish literacy & I am someone that is drawn to habit and consistency. Dinnertime includes a “Guess what I learned on the daf” segment for my husband and 18 year old twins. I also love the feelings of connection with my colleagues who are also learning.

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Diana Bloom

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I began learning the daf in January 2022. I initially “flew under the radar,” sharing my journey with my husband and a few close friends. I was apprehensive – who, me? Gemara? Now, 2 years in, I feel changed. The rigor of a daily commitment frames my days. The intellectual engagement enhances my knowledge. And the virtual community of learners has become a new family, weaving a glorious tapestry.

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Gitta Jaroslawicz-Neufeld

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It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.

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Janice Block

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I started my journey on the day I realized that the Siyum was happening in Yerushalayim and I was missing out. What? I told myself. How could I have not known about this? How can I have missed out on this opportunity? I decided that moment, I would start Daf Yomi and Nach Yomi the very next day. I am so grateful to Hadran. I am changed forever because I learn Gemara with women. Thank you.

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Linda Brownstein

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It’s hard to believe it has been over two years. Daf yomi has changed my life in so many ways and has been sustaining during this global sea change. Each day means learning something new, digging a little deeper, adding another lens, seeing worlds with new eyes. Daf has also fostered new friendships and deepened childhood connections, as long time friends have unexpectedly become havruta.

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Joanna Rom

Northwest Washington, United States

When we heard that R. Michelle was starting daf yomi, my 11-year-old suggested that I go. Little did she know that she would lose me every morning from then on. I remember standing at the Farbers’ door, almost too shy to enter. After that first class, I said that I would come the next day but couldn’t commit to more. A decade later, I still look forward to learning from R. Michelle every morning.

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Ruth Leah Kahan

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Anne Mirsky

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My husband learns Daf, my son learns Daf, my son-in-law learns Daf.
When I read about Hadran’s Siyyum HaShas 2 years ago, I thought- I can learn Daf too!
I had learned Gemara in Hillel HS in NJ, & I remembered loving it.
Rabbanit Michelle & Hadran have opened my eyes & expanding my learning so much in the past few years. We can now discuss Gemara as a family.
This was a life saver during Covid

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I started learning Jan 2020 when I heard the new cycle was starting. I had tried during the last cycle and didn’t make it past a few weeks. Learning online from old men didn’t speak to my soul and I knew Talmud had to be a soul journey for me. Enter Hadran! Talmud from Rabbanit Michelle Farber from a woman’s perspective, a mother’s perspective and a modern perspective. Motivated to continue!

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Keren Carter

Brentwood, California, United States

I started with Ze Kollel in Berlin, directed by Jeremy Borowitz for Hillel Deutschland. We read Masechet Megillah chapter 4 and each participant wrote his commentary on a Sugia that particularly impressed him. I wrote six poems about different Sugiot! Fascinated by the discussions on Talmud I continued to learn with Rabanit Michelle Farber and am currently taking part in the Tikun Olam course.
Yael Merlini
Yael Merlini

Berlin, Germany

Studying has changed my life view on הלכה and יהדות and time. It has taught me bonudaries of the human nature and honesty of our sages in their discourse to try and build a nation of caring people .

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Goldie Gilad

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I graduated college in December 2019 and received a set of shas as a present from my husband. With my long time dream of learning daf yomi, I had no idea that a new cycle was beginning just one month later, in January 2020. I have been learning the daf ever since with Michelle Farber… Through grad school, my first job, my first baby, and all the other incredible journeys over the past few years!
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Sigal Spitzer Flamholz

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In January 2020, my teaching partner at IDC suggested we do daf yomi. Thanks to her challenge, I started learning daily from Rabbanit Michelle. It’s a joy to be part of the Hadran community. (It’s also a tikkun: in 7th grade, my best friend and I tied for first place in a citywide gemara exam, but we weren’t invited to the celebration because girls weren’t supposed to be learning gemara).

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Robin Zeiger

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Jill Shames

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Nickie Matthews
Nickie Matthews

Blacksburg, United States

Yoma 10

אַף עַל גַּב דְּ״יַפְתְּ אֱלֹהִים לְיֶפֶת״ — אֵין הַשְּׁכִינָה שׁוֹרָה אֶלָּא בְּאׇהֳלֵי שֵׁם.

The Gemara explains: Although God will enlarge Japheth, referring to the Persians, who descended from Japheth and who assisted in constructing the Second Temple, the Divine Presence rests only in the tents of Shem, in the First Temple, which was built by King Solomon without the patronage of a foreign power.

וּפָרְסָאֵי מְנָא לַן דְּמִיֶּפֶת קָאָתוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּנֵי יֶפֶת גּוֹמֶר וּמָגוֹג וּמָדַי וְיָוָן וְתוּבָל וּמֶשֶׁךְ וְתִירָס״. גּוֹמֶר — זֶה גֶּרְמַמְיָא, מָגוֹג — זוֹ קַנְדִּיָּא, מָדַי — זוֹ מַקֵדוֹנְיָא, יָוָן — כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ, תּוּבָל — זֶה בֵּית אוּנַיְיקִי, מֶשֶׁךְ — זוֹ מוּסְיָא, תִּירָס, פְּלִיגִי בַּהּ רַבִּי סִימַאי וְרַבָּנַן, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַבִּי סִימוֹן וְרַבָּנַן, חַד אָמַר: זוֹ בֵּית תְּרַיְיקִי, וְחַד אָמַר: זוֹ פָּרַס. תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: תִּירָס — זוֹ פָּרַס.

§ The Gemara asks: From where do we derive that the Persians descend from Japheth? The Gemara answers: As it is written: “The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tuval and Meshech and Tiras (Genesis 10:2). The Gemara explains: Gomer, that is Germamya; Magog, that is Kandiya; Madai, that is Macedonia; Javan, in accordance with its plain meaning, Greece; Tuval, that is the nation called Beit Unaiki; Meshech, that is Musya. With regard to Tiras, Rabbi Simai and the Rabbis disagree, and some say the dispute is between Rabbi Simon and the Rabbis: One said: That is Beit Teraiki, and one said: That is Persia. According to that approach, Persia is listed among the descendants of Japheth. Rav Yosef taught: Tiras is Persia.

״סַבְתָּה וְרַעְמָה וְסַבְתְּכָא״, תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: סַקִּיסְתָּן גַּוָּיְיתָא וְסַקִּיסְתָּן בָּרַיְיתָא, בֵּין חֲדָא לַחֲדָא מְאָה פַּרְסֵי, וְהֶיקֵּפַהּ אַלְפָּא פַּרְסֵי.

The list of nations continues: “And Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca” (Genesis 10:7). Rav Yosef taught: These are the inner Sakistan and the outer Sakistan. Between one and the other there was a distance of one hundred parasangs, and the circumference of the land was one thousand parasangs.

״וַתְּהִי רֵאשִׁית מַמְלַכְתּוֹ בָּבֶל וְאֶרֶךְ וְאַכַּד וְכַלְנֵה״, בָּבֶל — כְּמַשְׁמְעָה, אֶרֶךְ — זֶה אוֹרִיכוּת, וְאַכַּד — זֶה בַּשְׁכַּר, כַּלְנֵה — זֶה נוּפַר נִינְפִי.

The Gemara continues interpreting the verses. It is stated: “And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar” (Genesis 10:10). Babel in accordance with its plain meaning, Babylonia; Erech, that is the city known then as Orikhut; and Accad, that is the place known then as Baskar; Calneh, that is Nofer Ninefi.

״מִן הָאָרֶץ הָהִיא יָצָא אַשּׁוּר״, תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: אַשּׁוּר — זֶה סִילַק. ״וַיִּבֶן אֶת נִינְוֵה וְאֶת רְחוֹבוֹת עִיר וְאֶת כָּלַח״, נִינְוֵה — כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ, רְחוֹבוֹת עִיר — זוֹ פְּרָת דְּמֵישָׁן, כָּלַח — זוֹ פְּרָת דְּבוֹרְסִיף. ״וְאֶת רֶסֶן בֵּין נִינְוֵה וּבֵין כָּלַח הִיא הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה״, רֶסֶן — זֶה אַקְטִיסְפוֹן. ״הִיא הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה״ — אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אִם נִינְוֵה הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה, אִם רֶסֶן הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה. כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר ״וְנִינְוֵה הָיְתָה עִיר גְּדוֹלָה לֵאלֹהִים מַהֲלַךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים״, הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: נִינְוֵה הִיא הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה.

The Torah continues: “Out of that land went forth Asshur (Genesis 10:11). Rav Yosef taught: Asshur, that is Silek, meaning that is the region where the town Silkiya was built. “And built Nineveh and Rehoboth-ir and Calah” (Genesis 10:11). Nineveh, in accordance with its plain meaning; Rehovoth-ir, that is the town later known as Perat of Meishan; Calah, that is Perat of Bursif. “And Resen between Nineveh and Calah, it is the great city” (Genesis 10:12). Resen, that is the town later known as Akteisfon. It is the great city; I do not know whether this means that Nineveh is the great city, or whether it means that Resen is the great city. When it says: “And Nineveh was a great city of God, a three-day journey across” (Jonah 3:3), you must say that Nineveh is the great city.

״וְשָׁם אֲחִימַן שֵׁשַׁי וְתַלְמַי יְלִידֵי הָעֲנָק״, תָּנָא: אֲחִימַן — מְיוּמָּן שֶׁבָּאַחִים, שֵׁשַׁי — שֶׁמֵּשִׂים אֶת הָאָרֶץ כִּשְׁחִיתוֹת, תַּלְמַי — שֶׁמֵּשִׂים אֶת הָאָרֶץ תְּלָמִים תְּלָמִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֲחִימַן בָּנָה עֲנָת, שֵׁשַׁי בָּנָה אָלוּשׁ, תַּלְמַי בָּנָה תַּלְבּוּשׁ. ״יְלִידֵי הָעֲנָק״ — שֶׁמַּעֲנִיקִין הַחַמָּה בְּקוֹמָתָן.

The Gemara continues to discuss the interpretation of names in the Bible. The Torah says: “And there were Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak” (Numbers 13:22). It was taught: Ahiman was so called because he was the greatest and most skillful [meyuman] of his brothers. Ahiman is a contraction of brother [aḥ] and right [yamin], which is the skilled hand. Sheshai was so called because he renders the ground like pits [sheḥitot] with his strides. Talmai was so called because he renders the ground filled with furrows [telamim] with his strides. Alternatively: Ahiman built the city of Anat; Sheshai built the town Alush; Talmai built the city of Talbush. The children of Anak is referring to the fact that it appears that the sun is a necklace [shema’anikin] around their necks because of their height.

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר רַבִּי: עֲתִידָה רוֹמִי שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד פָּרַס, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָכֵן שִׁמְעוּ עֲצַת ה׳ אֲשֶׁר יָעַץ (עַל) אֱדוֹם וּמַחְשְׁבוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר חָשַׁב (עַל) יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵימָן אִם לֹא יִסְחָבוּם צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן אִם לֹא יַשִּׁים עֲלֵיהֶם נְוֵהֶם״.

§ Apropos the opinion that Tiras is Persia, the Gemara addresses a related matter. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: Rome is destined to fall into the hands of Persia, as it is stated: “Now hear the plan that the Lord has devised for Edom, and the thoughts He has considered for the residents of Teiman. Surely the youngest of the flock will drag them away, surely their habitation will be appalled due to them” (Jeremiah 49:20).

מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַבָּה בַּר עוּלָּא: מַאי מַשְׁמַע דְּהַאי ״צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן״ פָּרַס הוּא — דִּכְתִיב: ״הָאַיִל אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתָ בַּעַל הַקְּרָנָיִם (הוּא) מַלְכֵי מָדַי וּפָרָס״. וְאֵימָא יָוָן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהַצָּפִיר הַשָּׂעִיר מֶלֶךְ יָוָן״!

Rabba bar Ulla strongly objected to this. From where may it be inferred that this phrase: Youngest of the flock, is Persia? It is as it is written: “The ram that you saw sporting two horns are the kings of Media and Persia” (Daniel 8:20), and the ram is a member of the flock mentioned in the verse. Still, how is that proof? And say that youngest of the flock refers to Greece, who will overthrow Rome, as it is written: “The goat is the king of Greece” (Daniel 8:21). The goat, too, could be characterized as a member of the flock.

כִּי סְלֵיק רַב חֲבִיבָא בַּר סוֹרְמַקִי, אַמְרַהּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּהָהוּא מֵרַבָּנַן, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאן דְּלָא יָדַע פָּרוֹשֵׁי קְרָאֵי מוֹתֵיב תְּיוּבְתָּא לְרַבִּי?! מַאי ״צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן״ — זוּטְרָא דַּאֲחוֹהִי. דְּתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: תִּירָס — זֶה פָּרַס.

When Rav Ḥaviva bar Surmakei ascended from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael, he stated this difficulty before a certain one of the Sages. That Sage said to him: One who does not know how to interpret verses is so arrogant that he raises an objection to the opinion of the great Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi? Indeed, Rabba bar Ulla misunderstood the basis of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s interpretation. What is the meaning of the phrase: The youngest of the flock? It means the youngest of the brothers, a reference to Persia, as Rav Yosef taught: Tiras, the youngest of Japheth’s sons, that is Persia.

אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי אִלְעַאי: עֲתִידָה רוֹמִי שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד פָּרַס, קַל וָחוֹמֶר: וּמָה מִקְדָּשׁ רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁבְּנָאוּהוּ בְּנֵי שֵׁם וְהֶחְרִיבוּהוּ כַּשְׂדִּיִּים — נָפְלוּ כַּשְׂדִּיִּים בְּיַד פָּרְסִיִּים. מִקְדָּשׁ שֵׁנִי שֶׁבְּנָאוּהוּ פָּרְסִיִּים וְהֶחְרִיבוּהוּ רוֹמִיִּים — אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיִּפְּלוּ רוֹמִיִּים בְּיַד פָּרְסִיִּים?

Similarly, Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda, son of Rabbi Elai: Rome is destined to fall into the hands of Persia. This is derived by means of an a fortiori inference: Just as the First Temple, that the descendants of Shem built it and the Chaldeans destroyed it, and in turn the Chaldeans, ruled by Belshazzar, fell to Persians, ruled by Darius the Mede and his son-in-law Cyrus the Persian; the Second Temple, that the Persians built it and the Romans destroyed it, is it not right that the Romans will fall into the hands of the Persians?

אָמַר רַב: עֲתִידָה פָּרַס שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד רוֹמִי. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ רַב כָּהֲנָא וְרַב אַסִּי לְרַב: בָּנוֹיֵי בְּיַד סָתוֹרֵי?! אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִין, גְּזֵירַת מֶלֶךְ הִיא. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי, אֲמַר (לֵיהּ): אִינְהוּ נָמֵי הָא קָא סָתְרִי בֵּי כְנִישְׁתָּא.

In contrast, Rav said: Persia is destined to fall into the hands of Rome. Rav Kahana and Rav Asi, Rav’s students, said to Rav: The builders will fall into the hands of the destroyers? Is that justice? He said to them: Although it seems unjust, yes, that is the King’s decree. Some say that he said this to them: They, too, are destroyers of synagogues, and they are no better than the Romans.

תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: עֲתִידָה פָּרַס שֶׁתִּפּוֹל בְּיַד רוֹמִי, חֲדָא — דְּסָתְרִי בֵּי כְנִישְׁתָּא, וְעוֹד: גְּזֵירַת מֶלֶךְ הוּא שֶׁיִּפְּלוּ בּוֹנִין בְּיַד סוֹתְרִין. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁתִּפְשׁוֹט מַלְכוּת רוֹמִי הָרְשָׁעָה בְּכׇל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ תִּשְׁעָה חֳדָשִׁים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָכֵן יִתְּנֵם עַד עֵת יוֹלֵדָה יָלָדָה וְיֶתֶר אֶחָיו יְשׁוּבוּן עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״.

That was also taught in a baraita: Persia is destined to fall into the hands of Rome. One reason is that they destroyed synagogues. And furthermore, it is the King’s decree that the builders will fall into the hands of the destroyers, as Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: The son of David will come only when the wicked kingdom of Rome spreads its dominance throughout the world for nine months, as it is stated: “Therefore He will give them up until she who is to bear has borne; then the remnants of his brethren will return with the children of Israel (Micah 5:2). The duration of Rome’s rule over the world will be the duration of a pregnancy, nine months.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כׇּל הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁהָיוּ בְּמִקְדָּשׁ לֹא הָיוּ לָהֶן מְזוּזָה, חוּץ מִלִּשְׁכַּת פַּרְהֶדְרִין, שֶׁהָיָה בָּהּ בֵּית דִּירָה לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל.

§ The Gemara resumes the discussion of the High Priest’s relocation to the Parhedrin chamber. The Rabbis taught: None of the chambers in the Temple had a mezuza except for the Chamber of Parhedrin, in which there was a place of residence of the High Priest. Only residences in which one sleeps require a mezuza, and the only chamber in the Temple that fits that description was the Parhedrin chamber.

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: וַהֲלֹא כַּמָּה לְשָׁכוֹת הָיוּ בְּמִקְדָּשׁ שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶן בֵּית דִּירָה, וְלֹא הָיָה לָהֶן מְזוּזָה? אֶלָּא לִשְׁכַּת פַּרְהֶדְרִין גְּזֵירָה הָיְתָה.

Rabbi Yehuda said: That is not the reason; after all, weren’t there several chambers in the Temple in which there was a place of residence designated for priests to sit and sleep, and yet they did not have a mezuza? Rather, the mezuza in the Chamber of Parhedrin was there because there was a rabbinic decree.

מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה? אָמַר (רָבָא): קָסָבַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: כׇּל בַּיִת שֶׁאֵינוֹ עָשׂוּי לִימוֹת הַחַמָּה וְלִימוֹת הַגְּשָׁמִים — אֵינוֹ בַּיִת. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי, וְהָכְתִיב: ״וְהִכֵּיתִי (אֶת) בֵּית הַחוֹרֶף עַל בֵּית הַקָּיִץ״! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״בֵּית חוֹרֶף״ וּ״בֵית קַיִץ״ אִיקְּרִי, ״בַּיִת״ סְתָמָא לָא אִיקְּרִי.

The Gemara asks: What is the reason for the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda that there was no fundamental obligation to affix a mezuza in the Parhedrin chamber, and that one was affixed there due to a decree? Rava said that Rabbi Yehuda holds: The legal status of any house that is not designated for residence both for the summer and for the rainy season is not that of a house and therefore does not require a mezuza. Abaye raised an objection to his opinion from a verse. How could you suggest that the legal status of a residence occupied for only part of the year is not that of a house? Isn’t it written: “I will strike the winter-house with the summer-house” (Amos 3:15)? Apparently, even a residence occupied only half the year is a house. Rava said to him: A residence occupied only part of the year may be called the winter-house or the summer-house. It is not called a house unmodified. A house is a structure used year round.

אֵיתִיבֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: סוּכַּת הֶחָג בֶּחָג, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה מְחַיֵּיב וַחֲכָמִים פּוֹטְרִין. וְתָנֵי עֲלַהּ: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה מְחַיֵּיב בְּעֵירוּב וּבִמְזוּזָה וּבְמַעֲשֵׂר!

Abaye raised a different objection to the opinion of Rava, from a mishna: If one brought produce from the field into the sukka that he constructed for the festival of Sukkot on the festival of Sukkot, Rabbi Yehuda obligates him to tithe the produce and the Rabbis exempt him from tithing the produce. And it was taught concerning the mishna: Rabbi Yehuda obligates the owner of that sukka to include the sukka in the joining of courtyards, like any of the houses in the courtyard; and in the mitzva of affixing a mezuza in the sukka; and in separating tithes from produce brought into the sukka. One is obligated to tithe his produce only when its processing has been completed. When he brings the produce into the house, he is obligated to tithe it. Rabbi Yehuda holds that the legal status of a sukka, in which one resides for a mere seven days, is that of a house in terms of the mitzva of mezuza.

וְכִי תֵּימָא מִדְּרַבָּנַן, בִּשְׁלָמָא עֵירוּב וּמְזוּזָה אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר מִדְּרַבָּנַן, אֶלָּא מַעֲשֵׂר, מִי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר מִדְּרַבָּנַן?

And if you say that Rabbi Yehuda rules that by rabbinic law the status of the sukka is like that of a house, but that by Torah law his opinion is consistent with Rava’s opinion, granted, with regard to the joining of courtyards and mezuza, it is possible to say that the obligation is by rabbinic law; however, with regard to tithes, is it possible to say that according to Rabbi Yehuda the obligation is by rabbinic law?

דִּילְמָא אָתֵי לְאַפְרוֹשֵׁי מִן הַחִיּוּב עַל הַפְּטוּר וּמִן הַפְּטוּר עַל הַחִיּוּב.

In that case, there is the concern lest one come to separate tithes from the obligated produce to fulfill the obligation for the exempt produce, or from the exempt produce to fulfill the obligation for the obligated produce. Produce that one is obligated to tithe by rabbinic law has the status of exempt produce by Torah law. Since it is difficult to distinguish between produce that one is obligated to tithe by Torah law and produce that one is obligated to tithe by rabbinic law, one might seek to fulfill his obligation by separating tithes from one for the other. In both cases, both the produce designated as a tithe and the produce for which it was tithed would retain the status of untithed produce. Therefore, Rabbi Yehuda could not have said that a sukka is considered a house by rabbinic law.

אֶלָּא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בְּשִׁבְעָה — דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא פְּלִיגִי דְּמִיחַיְּיבָא. כִּי פְּלִיגִי בִּשְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה. רַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: גָּזְרִינַן שְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה אַטּוּ שִׁבְעָה, וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: לָא גָּזְרִינַן.

Rather, Abaye said: The dispute with regard to the mezuza in the Parhedrin chamber must be explained differently. During the seven days that the High Priest lives in the Parhedrin chamber during his sequestering, everyone agrees that the chamber is obligated in the mitzva to affix a mezuza there. When they disagree is with regard to the rest of the days of the year, when no one resides there. The Rabbis hold: We issue a decree and require that a mezuza be affixed during the rest of the year due to those seven days that the High Priest lives there; and Rabbi Yehuda holds: We do not issue that decree, and there is no obligation to affix a mezuza to the chamber the rest of the year.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: וְהָא סוּכַּת הֶחָג בֶּחָג קָתָנֵי?

Rava said to him: But isn’t it taught in the mishna cited above: The sukka that he constructed for the festival of Sukkot on the festival of Sukkot? Apparently, contrary to the opinion of Abaye, the dispute is whether or not there is an obligation to affix a mezuza to the sukka during the Festival itself. If, as Abaye said, the tanna’im agree that there is an obligation to affix a mezuza during the festival of Sukkot even though it is used for only a brief period, on what basis do the Rabbis rule that there is no obligation even on the Festival itself?

אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: בִּשְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא פְּלִיגִי דִּפְטוּרָה. כִּי פְּלִיגִי בְּשִׁבְעָה. וְסוּכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד, וְלִשְׁכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד.

Rather, Rava said: During the rest of the days of the year, everyone agrees that the Parhedrin chamber is exempt from the obligation to affix a mezuza there. When they disagree is with regard to the seven days that the High Priest lives there, and with regard to a sukka during the Festival. And in order to resolve the contradiction between the opinions about the obligation of the chamber and of the sukka, the Gemara asserts: With regard to the sukka the reason is discrete, and with regard to the chamber the reason is discrete.

סוּכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד — רַבִּי יְהוּדָה לְטַעְמֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר: סוּכָּה דִּירַת קֶבַע בָּעֵינַן, וּמִיחַיְּיבָא בִּמְזוּזָה. וְרַבָּנַן לְטַעְמַיְיהוּ, דְּאָמְרִי: סוּכָּה דִּירַת עֲרַאי בָּעֵינַן, וְלָא מִיחַיְּיבָא בִּמְזוּזָה.

The Gemara explains: With regard to sukka, the reason is discrete. Rabbi Yehuda conforms to his standard line of reasoning, as he said: In order to fulfill the mitzva of sukka, we require a well-built permanent residence. A permanent residence is obligated in the mitzva of mezuza. The Rabbis conform to their standard line of reasoning, as they say: In order to fulfill the mitzva of sukka, we require a temporary residence, not a full-fledged house. A temporary residence is not obligated in the mitzva of mezuza.

וְלִשְׁכָּה טַעְמָא לְחוּד, רַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: דִּירָה בְּעַל כׇּרְחָהּ שְׁמָהּ דִּירָה. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: דִּירָה בְּעַל כׇּרְחָהּ לֹא שְׁמָהּ דִּירָה, וּמִדְּרַבָּנַן הוּא דְּתַקִּינוּ לַהּ, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ: כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל חָבוּשׁ בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִין.

And similarly, with regard to the chamber, the reason is discrete. The Rabbis hold: A residence in which one resides involuntarily is nevertheless considered a residence. Although the High Priest resides in the Parhedrin chamber due to a mitzva and not of his own volition, its legal status is that of a residence and a mezuza must be affixed. And Rabbi Yehuda holds: A residence in which one resides involuntarily is not considered a residence. Therefore, there should be no obligation to affix a mezuza in the Parhedrin chamber, just as there is no obligation to do so in the other Temple chambers in which priests reside. However, the Sages instituted this obligation by rabbinic law so that people will not say: The High Priest is imprisoned in jail, as only in substandard residences that appear unfit for residence is there no obligation to affix a mezuza.

מַאן תְּנָא לְהָא דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן:

Who is the tanna who taught the following baraita? As the Sages taught:

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