Watch what you say TB Sukkah 21

The first chapter of our massekhet is about building the sukkah. We learned the maximum height (20 amot) and the minimum height (10 tefakhim) of the sukkah as well as the minimum area of the sukkah (7 tefakhim by 7 tefakhim). We also learned about the three necessary characteristics of kosher sekhakh; 1, it must grow from the ground; 2, it must be detached from the ground; and 3, it must not be susceptible to ritual unreadiness (טומאה). The second chapter now puts the person in the sukkah.

The Mishnah on daf TB Sukkah 20b cites a disagreement between the tanna kamma and Rabbi Yehuda whether one is allowed to sleep under his bed in the sukkah (why somebody sleeping under the bed in a sukkah is a question I can’t answer). “One who sleeps beneath the bed in the sukka did not fulfill his obligation, because the bed constitutes a tent that serves as a barrier between him and the roofing of the sukka. Rabbi Yehuda said: It was our custom that we would sleep beneath the bed before the Elders and they did not say anything to us to the effect that we are not fulfilling our obligation. Apparently, the halakhic status of the bed is not like that of a tent and it does not prevent fulfillment of the mitzva.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Rabbi Shimon agrees with the tanna kamma by telling a story. “Rabbi Shimon said, contrary to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda: There was an incident involving Tavi, the Canaanite slave of Rabban Gamliel, who was sleeping beneath the bed, and Rabbi Gamliel lightheartedly said to the Elders: Did you see my slave Tavi, who is a Torah scholar and knows that slaves are exempt from the mitzva of sukka? Since it is a positive, time-bound mitzva, Canaanite slaves, whose status with regard to this halakhic category is like that of women, are exempt from the obligation to fulfill the mitzva of sukka. Therefore, he sleeps under the bed. Rabbi Shimon continued: And by the way, as Rabban Gamliel was not issuing a halakhic ruling, we learned that one who sleeps beneath the bed did not fulfill his obligation.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The Gemara on today’s daf TB Sukkah 21 teaches us that we not only learn from our rabbis’ classes and lectures, we can also learn life lessons from their casual conversations. “The mishna relates that Rabbi Shimon said, contrary to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda: There was an incident involving Tavi, the Canaanite slave of Rabban Gamliel who was sleeping beneath the bed, and Rabban Gamliel claimed that Tavi did so because he was a Torah scholar and knew that slaves are exempt from the mitzva of sukka. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Shimon said: From the conversation of Rabban Gamliel we learned two matters. We learned that Canaanite slaves are exempt from the mitzva of sukka, and we learned that one who sleeps beneath the bed did not fulfill his obligation.

“The Gemara questions the formulation of the baraita. And let Rabbi Shimon say: From the statement of Rabban Gamliel. Why did he use the atypical expression: From the conversation of Rabban Gamliel? The Gemara answers: Through this expression he teaches us another matter in passing, like that which Rabbi Aḥa bar Adda said, and some say that Rabbi Aḥa bar Adda said that Rabbi Hamnuna said that Rav said: From where is it derived that even the conversation of Torah scholars require analysis, even when the intention of the speaker was apparently not to issue a halakhic ruling? It is as it is stated with regard to the righteous: “Which brings forth its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither” (Psalms 1:3). This teaches that with regard to a Torah scholar, not only is his primary product, his fruit, significant but even ancillary matters that stem from his conversation, his leaves, are significant.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man understands that with great power comes great responsibility. The rabbis understood that they too have great responsibility because of their position in the community. They need to be careful how they speak at all times for their words can have great repercussions. “Abtalion used to say: Sages be careful with your words, lest you incur the penalty of exile, and be carried off to a place of evil waters, and the disciples who follow you drink and die, and thus the name of heaven becomes profaned.” (Pirkei Avot 1:11)

That's good advice for everybody.