Shiur summary (draft from the recording)
Sheet under the schach for decoration
פירס עליה סדין
Sukkah 10a · Thursday, September 10, 2026
The sugya
The Rebbi reviewed the Mishnah of spreading a sheet above or below the schach. He then explained Rav Chisda's statement that the Mishnah only pasuls a sheet spread because of falling debris, but a sheet spread for decoration is kosher. The Gemara tries to bring support for Rav Chisda from the Braisa of decorating a sukkah with sheets. It pushes this off with 'dilma min hatzad', so the question is left without a proof.
Step by step (shakla v’tarya)
- ChazarahReview of the Mishnah: if one spreads a sheet on top of the sukkah because of the sun, or underneath it because of the nesher (falling debris), the sukkah is pasul.
- The RebbiBoth cases serve a schach purpose, since both are for protection: one from the sun, the other from debris.
- MishnahSpreading a sheet over a bed with four posts (kinofos) is pasul. Spreading it over a bed with two posts (naklitei hamitah) is allowed.
- GemaraRav Chisda: the Mishnah only pasuls a sheet spread because of the nesher. If it is spread to beautify the sukkah, it is kosher.
- The RebbiA sheet on top is obviously there for the sun, since there is no other reason for it. So the only case to discuss is a sheet underneath.
- KashaPshita: the Mishnah explicitly says 'because of the nesher'.
- TeirutzMahu d'teima: the same din would apply even when it is for beauty, and the Mishnah says 'because of the nesher' only because that is the normal reason (orcha d'milsa). Ka mashma lan that a decorative sheet is allowed.
- Ra'ayahLima mesayei'a lei: the Gemara tries to show that Rav Chisda's statement is really founded on a Braisa.
- The RebbiSometimes the Gemara asks 'why do I need this, it is already a Mishnah'. When the source is less obvious, it instead says 'let us find support for him', as here.
- GemaraThe Braisa: one who made the schach properly and decorated it with kramim and sedinin hametzuyarin, and hung in it nuts, almonds, peaches, pomegranates, clusters of grapes, wreaths of grain stalks, wines, oils and flour.
- GemaraIt is forbidden to take from them until motzaei Yom Tov, the last day of the Chag. If he made a condition on them, it all goes according to his condition.
- Ra'ayahThe proof: in the first two cases the Braisa has sheets hung for decoration, and it raises no problem with them. Its only concern is taking from them. This supports Rav Chisda.
- DechiyahDilma min hatzad: maybe those sheets were on the side of the sukkah, against the walls, so there is no proof about a decorative sheet under the schach.
- The RebbiThe Mishnah says 'pires' (spread), while the Braisa says 'itra' (crowned, from atara). So it probably was on top, but 'dilma min hatzad' is a push-off: there is no checkmate.
- MaskanaThe Braisa does not prove Rav Chisda's statement. We are back to ambiguity: it is not clear.
Kashas
- Pshita: the Mishnah itself says 'mipnei hanesher', so why does Rav Chisda need to tell us this?
Teirutzim
- Without Rav Chisda one might have thought the same din applies even for beauty, and that 'because of the nesher' is only the usual way of speaking (orcha d'milsa katani). Ka mashma lan.
- Dilma min hatzad: the decorative sheets in the Braisa may have been on the sides, not under the schach.
Mareh mekomos
- Mishkan: the paroches of the Kodesh HaKodashim was woven, which was a major melacha. The masach in front of the Mishkan was embroidered and was less chashuv, since the most chashuv was always inside. Brought to illustrate woven (kramim) versus embroidered (metzuyarin).
- Atara on a Sefer Torah, used to explain the word 'itra' (crowned).
The Rebbi’s chiddushim
- A sheet above (for sun) and a sheet below (for debris) both serve as protection, which is the job of schach.
- Kramim are woven: the image is in the weave of the fabric itself. Sedinin hametzuyarin are fabric with something embroidered onto it.
- Noy sukkah is a matter of beautifying a mitzvah, beyond what you would do for your own house. The basic chiyuv is the act of living in the sukkah with what we need.
- Muktzeh here is not like Shabbos or Yom Tov muktzeh. It means the item is set aside for the mitzvah.
- With sukkah decorations, this din of muktzeh is certainly only mid'rabbanan.
- A tnai works by not totally setting the item aside as one enters Yom Tov, for example by saying 'I might need this oil for salad dressing'.
- 'Itra' (crowned) versus the Mishnah's 'pires' (spread) suggests the decoration was on top. But 'dilma min hatzad' is enough to defeat the proof.
Unclear in recording
- Exchange with a talmid about whether there is a machlokes here.
- Comment comparing the walls to the decorations (that the walls are more ikar din or a real issur).
- Line reference '131' when re-reading the Gemara.
- Remark about hanging fruit being based on something ('like Kabbalah').
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.