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Mental Issues - Answer

There is a fundamental difference between a constructive bittul and a destructive bittul. When one nullifies his chametz, he is saying that the chametz is nothing - like the dust of the earth. That is destructive. To destroy the chametz a mental bittul is enough.

When one abandons his dirt or straw on the floor of his succah, he is doing a constructive act. He is adding to the structure of the succah. Constructing requires a more significant act than destructing. Therefore, a verbal declaration is required when "being mevattel" the dirt to the succah. [Nosson Piryo on Masseches Succah]

From this principle, we can learn a lesson for life. It is much harder to build and create than it is to destroy and ruin. Our lives are about building - ourselves, others and society. That requires a great deal of hard work.

It's not clear to me how the ביטול of the dirt is construction. It seems to me that it is just being מפקיר it, in which case it becomes part of the ground, and ממילא the סוכה is higher. Does the ground actually integrate into the סוכה itself? ללימוד אני צריך.

Yes. The ground integrates into the succah itself. In fact the shittah of the Avnei Nezer is that kdushas succah is chal on the ground as well.

Good to hear from you. It's been a while.

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About me

  • I'm Rabbi Ally Ehrman
  • From Old City Jerusalem, Israel
  • I am a Rebbe in Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh.
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