Shiur summary (draft from the recording)
Avel and Chassan: Patur from Sukkah?
Sukkah 25b · from line 13 · Tuesday, December 30, 2025
The sugya
The shiur first reviews Rav Abba bar Zavda in the name of Rav that an avel is chayav in all mitzvos except tefillin, and only on the first day. It then covers his rulings that an avel is chayav in sukkah, and that a chassan, the shushvinin and all bnei hachuppah are patur from sukkah all seven days. The Gemara asks why they cannot combine the simcha with the sukkah, and Abaye (yichud) and Rava (tzaar chassan) answer, with a nafka mina between them. The shiur ends with Rav Zeira, who ate in the sukkah and rejoiced in the chuppah.
Step by step (shakla v’tarya)
- ChazarahGufa: Rav Abba bar Zavda amar Rav: an avel is chayav in all mitzvos in the Torah except tefillin, because tefillin are called pe'er, an adornment like a crown.
- Ra'ayahHashem told Yechezkel, when his wife was niftar, 'pe'ercha chavush alecha'. This shows that you, Yechezkel, are chayav, but a regular avel is patur.
- GemaraThis applies only on the first day of aveilus, as the pasuk says 'v'achrisa k'yom mar'. The intensity of aveilus is one day.
- GemaraLine 19: Rav Abba bar Zavda amar Rav: an avel is chayav in sukkah. The Gemara asks: isn't that pashut?
- KashaMahu d'seima: Rav Abba bar Zavda also said that a mitztaer is patur from sukkah. One might think an avel, who is preoccupied, is also a mitztaer.
- TeirutzKamashma lan: that applies only to tzaara d'mimeila, pain that comes from the thing itself. The avel causes his own distress, and he should settle his mind (l'yashuvei da'atei).
- The RebbiRegarding sukkah, an avel's predicament is no different from someone who lost all his money. He must turn to the mitzvah of sukkah and settle his mind.
- Background: weddings were then very different. The chassan, the shushvinin and the guests were fully involved, with the chassan in a beis chuppah for seven days.
- GemaraLine 25: Rav Abba bar Zavda amar Rav: the chassan, the shushvinin (groomsmen) and all bnei hachuppah (the wedding party) are patur from sukkah all seven days, meaning the day of the chuppah plus sheva brachos.
- GemaraMai ta'ama? Because they need l'michdi, to be freilach, all seven days.
- KashaLet them eat in the sukkah and rejoice in the sukkah, i.e. do everything in the sukkah, even if they have to pack people in.
- TeirutzEin simcha ela b'chuppah. They had a designated place for the chuppah and accommodations, and that was where the simcha was.
- KashaThen let them eat in the sukkah and rejoice in the chuppah.
- TeirutzEin simcha ela where the seudah is. The simcha has to be where you are eating, so the eating cannot be separated from the chuppah.
- KashaThen make the chuppah itself in the sukkah.
- The RebbiThe difference from the first kasha: the first question left the chuppah outside. Now the chuppah, the simcha and the eating are all placed together in the sukkah.
- MachlokesAbaye says the reason is yichud. Rava says it is tzaar chassan, the chassan's discomfort.
- RashiRashi: most sukkahs then were on the roofs. If the chassan goes away to use the bathroom, others may end up in yichud with the kallah.
- ShitahTzaar chassan: the sukkah is open, so the chassan will be embarrassed to rejoice and dance with his wife.
- The RebbiThese are two different reasons stemming from the same predicament, that the sukkah is on the roof. They therefore made a special building for the chuppah and seudos, giving the chassan privacy with no concern of yichud.
- GemaraLine 32: Mai beinayhu? The difference is where people commonly go in and out.
- MaskanaAccording to the reason of yichud, there is no problem there, since the kallah will not be left alone. According to tzaar chassan, the problem remains, because it is too busy for the chassan to rejoice with his wife.
- GemaraRav Zeira said: I ate in the sukkah and rejoiced in the chuppah. Kol shekein my heart was happy, because I did two things, and it did not disturb me.
- The RebbiRav Zeira is arguing with Rav Abba bar Zavda amar Rav. Since that statement is an Amora's and not a Mishnah or Braisa, he can argue.
Kashas
- Avel chayav b'sukkah: isn't it pashut? (Mahu d'seima: mitztaer patur, and an avel is a mitztaer.)
- Let them eat and rejoice in the sukkah.
- Let them eat in the sukkah and rejoice in the chuppah.
- Let them make the chuppah in the sukkah.
Teirutzim
- Mitztaer is only tzaara d'mimeila. An avel distresses himself and should settle his mind.
- Ein simcha ela b'chuppah.
- The simcha must be where the seudah is.
- Abaye: because of yichud. Rava: because of tzaar chassan.
Rashi & Tosafos
- Rashi: Sukkahs were mostly on roofs. When the chassan steps away to use the bathroom, others may be in yichud with the kallah.
Mareh mekomos
- Pasuk in Yechezkel, 'pe'ercha chavush alecha': source that tefillin are pe'er and that a regular avel is patur from them.
- Pasuk 'v'achrisa k'yom mar', said about Klal Yisrael's demise: source that the main aveilus is one day.
The Rebbi’s chiddushim
- An avel regarding sukkah is like someone who lost all his money: he must settle his mind and do the mitzvah.
- The first kasha left the chuppah outside. The third puts chuppah, simcha and eating all together in the sukkah.
- Abaye's and Rava's reasons both stem from the sukkah being on the roof: one concern is yichud when the chassan leaves, the other is embarrassment in an open sukkah.
- Rav Zeira can argue on Rav Abba bar Zavda because it is an Amora's statement, not a Mishnah or Braisa.
Unclear in recording
- The daf number as stated is unclear in recording.
- A side discussion about not marrying on Yom Tov/Sukkos and a Gemara about scheduling simchos; its location was not determined (Chagigah was suggested tentatively).
- Whether Rashi says the roof sukkahs had four walls or three is unclear in recording; both are mentioned.
Drafted from the recording of the shiur, for chazarah. Torah terms follow the Rebbi’s own words; anything that could not be made out is marked “unclear in recording”. Tap a time to hear that point. Corrections welcome.