THOUGHTS ON THE DAILY DAF
brought to you by Kollel Iyun Hadaf of Har Nof
Rosh Kollel: Rav Mordecai Kornfeld
Ask A Question about the Daf
Previous daf
Sukah 13
1) MAROR THAT HAS A "SHEM LEVAI"
QUESTION: Rav Chisda in the name of Ravina bar Shila said that "Maror
d'Agma" may be used to fulfill one's obligation to eat Maror on Pesach
night. The Gemara questions this from a Beraisa which states that one cannot
fulfill the Mitzvah with Maror that has a "Shem Levai" -- a modifying name.
Only generic "Maror" may be used for the Mitzvah, for that is what is
mentioned in the Torah. Abaye answers that since "Maror d'Agma" was known as
plain "Maror" at the time the Torah was given, it falls into the category of
"Maror" mentioned in the Torah. Rava answers that "Maror d'Agma" does not
have a modifying name, but rather "d'Agma" merely refers to the place that
the Maror can be found -- in the swamps ("Agma").
It is clear that our Gemara concludes that a type of Maror that has a
modifying name may not be used for the Mitzvah of Maror. However, the Sugya
in Pesachim (39a) which discusses Maror seems to contradict this. The
Mishnah there states, "These are the vegetables with which a person fulfills
his obligation [to eat Maror] on Pesach: Chazeres, Tamcha, Charchavina,
Ulshin, and Maror." The Gemara cites the opinion of "Acherim" who state the
requirement that "every bitter vegetable, [with which one may fulfill the
Mitzvah of Maror,] emits a milk-like sap when cut, and the vegetable's color
is pale." Rav Huna says that the Halachah follows their opinion. It seems
from the Gemara there that any bitter vegetable (which meets the criteria of
having a milk-like sap when cut, and a pale color) is acceptable for use for
the Mitzvah of Maror. RASHI on the Chumash (Shemos 12:8) indeed states that
the word "Maror" in the Torah refers to "any bitter vegetable."
If one may use *any* bitter vegetable, it should not make a difference what
the Maror is called, since the Torah makes no reference to any specific type
of vegetable! Why does our Gemara conclude that the Maror must not have a
modifying name? (MAGEN AVRAHAM OC 473:15, REBBI AKIVA EIGER)
ANSWERS:
(a) The ME'IRI here explains that we find in Pesachim 39a that there is an
order of preference for which Maror to use on Pesach. Chazeres is the first
choice, either because it is most bitter or because its name alludes to the
mercy which Hashem showered upon us when He took us out of Mitzrayim
("Chasa"). The Gemara here does not mean to say that one does not fulfill
his obligation at all with Maror that has a "Shem Levai." Rather, it means
that *Chazeres* with a "Shem Levai" is not considered to be the choice Maror
that was mentioned by the Amora'im in Pesachim. (RASHI, DH Merarisa, indeed
explains that the Gemara is referring to a particular type of *Chazeres*.
Tosfos questions Rashi's source for explaining that the Gemara is referring
to a type of Chazeres. Perhaps Rashi means to explain like the Me'iri.)
According to the explanation of the Me'iri, it is not clear why the proper
Chazeres should be one that was called "Chazeres" at the time of the Giving
of the Torah. Since it is only a Rabbinic recommendation to give precedence
to Chazeres, it should depend, if anything, on what was called Chazeres at
the times of the Mishnah. Perhaps the Me'iri learned that the Rabanan's
institution was made to be "k'Ein d'Oraisa." Alternatively, he learned that
the precedence given to Chazeres has its source in a Halachah lMoshe
mi'Sinai. (This does *not* appear to be the way Rashi learned the Sugya,
since in DH Kol she'Nishtaneh he says that the bitter herb must fit into the
name "Maror" given by the Torah.)
(b) In Pesachim, it appears that there is a dispute among the Tana'im
regarding the types of Maror that one may use. The Tana of the Mishnah there
seems to maintain that only the five species listed may be used, since only
these species were referred to as "Maror" when the Torah was given. If so,
the Gemara here in Sukah could be following the opinion of that Tana who
says that Maror must be a specific type of herb, the name of which is
"Maror." If it has a "Shem Levai," it is no longer considered "Maror" with
which one may fulfill his obligation. The Gemara in Pesachim, on the other
hand, is going according to the opinion of "Acherim" who say that *any*
bitter vegetable may be used for the Mitzvah. (MEROMEI SADEH of the Netziv)
13b
Next daf
|