Q&A: Rabbi Yehuda’s a fortiori inference
Rabbi Yehuda’s a fortiori inference
Question
What is your view of Rabbi Yehuda’s a fortiori inference in tractate Sukkah (36b), where he compares a sukkah to a lulav and expounds: if with lulav, which one is obligated in only during the day, one specifically needs the four species, then with sukkah, which one is obligated in during the day and at night, all the more so one should need to use the four species. On its face, this seems like what the Rabbi said in the lectures: if a four-cornered garment, which one is obligated in only during the day, requires tzitzit, then a mezuzah, which one is obligated in during the day and at night, all the more so should require tzitzit. I thought perhaps this could be seen as evidence that the matter of the four species is connected to the commandment of sukkah. I’d be glad to hear the Rabbi’s opinion on this.
Answer
Indeed, on its face this is very puzzling. But it depends on how these commandments are understood and the connection between them. I don’t understand it well enough, so I can’t explain it.
There is a whole section on this in the book Ner Aharon by Rabbi Tverig, on page 135 of the book. I don’t have time right now to go through his remarks and remind myself of them, but it’s worth looking there (it’s probably available in Otzar HaChochma).