Sukkah, Daf Lamed Zayin, Part 3
Introduction
Today’s section opens with another statement by the amora, Rabbah, concerning various laws governing the four species. The specific topic today is smelling the hadas or etrog, the two species that have a fragrant smell.
ואמר רבה: הדס של מצוה אסור להריח בו, אתרוג של מצוה – מותר להריח בו. מאי טעמא? הדס דלריחא קאי, כי אקצייה – מריחא אקצייה, אתרוג דלאכילה קאי – כי אקצייה מאכילה אקצייה.
Rabbah further stated: It is forbidden to smell a hadas [used] for the [fulfilment of the] commandment, but it is permitted to smell an etrog [used] for the [fulfilment of the] commandment.
What is the reason? The hadas since it is used for its smell, when he sets it aside [for the mitzvah] it is set aside from use for its fragrance. The etrog, however, since it is used as food, when he sets it aside [for the mitzvah] it is set aside [only] from [use as] food.
Rabbah prohibits smelling a hadas because the main purpose of a hadas during the year is for fragrance. Indeed, I’m not sure there is any other use for the hadas. So when one designates it for use during Sukkot to fulfill his mitzvah, he cannot use it during this same period for its regular use. However, one can smell an etrog because the main use of an etrog is for food, like a lemon. Since its main purpose is food and not fragrance, he can smell it during Sukkot.
ואמר רבה: הדס במחובר – מותר להריח בו, אתרוג במחובר – אסור להריח בו.
מאי טעמא? הדס דלהריח קאי, אי שרית ליה – לא אתי למגזייה, אתרוג דלאכילה קאי, אי שרית ליה – אתי למגזייה.
Rabbah further stated: A hadas attached to the ground, it is permitted to smell it; an etrog attached to the ground, it is forbidden to smell it.
What is the reason? The hadas, since it is used for its smell, if you permit it [to be smelled], he would not come to cut it down. The etrog which is used for food, if you permit it [to be smelled] he might be tempted to cut it.
Rabbah seems to enjoy the paradox that the laws are reversed when the etrog and hadas are still attached to the ground. In such a case, one can smell the hadas. There would be no need to detach it in order to smell it. On the other hand, if he smells the etrog he might be tempted to cut it down and eat it. This will not be helfpul if we want to use it for a mitzvah. Therefore, it is prohibited to cut it down.