Sukka 2 a, b

Our masechet begins with an argument between Rabbi Yochanan and the rabbis.  The Mishna speaks to the height of a sukka's roof.  What happens if it is more than 20 cubits?  It moves on to tell us more about the structure of a sukka: it must be more than 10 handbreadths high, have at least three walls, and allow for more shade than sunlight inside of the structure.

The Gemara reminds us of a similar argument in Eiruvin, where an alleyway is not to be more than 20 or less than 10 cubits high.  It also reminds us that the arguments surrounding an alleyway are rabbinic in origin.  The sukka, in contrast, is specifically commanded by G-d in the Torah to have certain measurements and characteristics.  The stage is set for the seriousness of this discussion.

Rabba, Rabbi Zeira, Abaye and Rava present verses from the Torah that would prove their arguments.  Each argues why they roof must be less than 20 cubits: to remind inhabitants that they are in a sukka and not a permanent dwelling; to ensure that shade is provided by the roof itself; to block the rain that might otherwise soak the inhabitants.  Rabbi Zeira argues that a sukka is permitted in a valley that blocks all sunlight, for if the mountains were moved, the sukka's roof would provide shade.  

The Gemara notes many arguments not applied by these rabbis.  For example, we know from Isaiah 4:6 that the sukka will serve to protect us from the heat of the day.  And we learn that this is a metaphor: G-d will shield and shelter G-d's people.  Additionally, the height of the sukka roof is not significant; the issue is whether or not we notice the roof.  As long as the walls reach the roof, Rabba argues that the sukka is permitted.  Our eyes are drawn up the walls to the thatched roof where we remember that this is an impermanent structure.

The rabbis continue to debate the height of the sukka's roof, now focusing on the size of the structure itself.  If the sukka is larger than four cubits by four cubits, the shade provided by the roof will differ as the sun moves across the sky.  The rabbis go to great lengths to understand how and when the sukka might be shaded when it is smaller and larger.  

From here, the rabbis wonder how large a sukka must be - is room enough for a table and a person's head and body enough?  The rabbis agree that four cubits by four cubits should be the smallest permitted sukka.

We learn a wonderful story about Queen Heleni of Lod.  Rabbi Yehuda reminds us that some sukkot have had roofs 40 or 50 cubits high.  In fact, Queen Heleni had such a sukka and no one objected.  Perhaps, argue the rabbis, she built a sub-standard sukka. After all, she was a woman and therefore not obliged to observe the mitzvot.  But what about her seven sons?  They would be subject to the mitzvot and thus the roof should be an accepted height.  How old were they?  Grown, Torah scholars?  Or were they minors and not yet obligated, either?  The rabbis are certain that at least one of her children would be seven years old and not requiring his mother's constant care.  But is that when children are obliged to reside in the sukka - once they are able to care for themselves?  

It is understood that Queen Heleni, as a convert and a generous and righteous woman, would follow the advice of the Sages when building her sukka.  And the walls may not have met the roof!  At the end of today's daf, the rabbis are considering deference to the practice of a woman.