(Rav): If date branches were cut to lie on them, one need not tie them [to permit moving them]. If they were cut for building, one must tie them.

(Rav Aba bar Chanah): Whether [they were cut] to lie on them, or for building, one must tie them.

(R. Chizkiyah): The tying of Rav for building is unlike the tying of R. Acha bar Chanah for Kelim;

The tying of Rav for building, he must tie all the thorny branches [so it will be proper to lie on]. The tying of R. Acha bar Chanah for Kelim is until it has the form of a Kli;

If you would say that he must tie all the thorny branches, there is no greater action than this!

(R. Yakov bar Idi citing R. Yonason): One should never refrain from going to the Beis Midrash. This Halachah was asked many times in Yavneh - why is Areivas ha'Yarden (a boat used in the Jordan river) Tamei?, and no one said anything...

... Until R. Chaninah ben Antiganus expounded in his city that Areivas ha'Yarden is Tamei, because they fill it with Peros and take it from the sea to the dry land and from the dry land to the sea.

He expounded another matter. If date branches were cut, whether for lying or for building, they need to be tied.

Question: Boats of Ashkelon [are filled with Peros and taken from the sea to the land and vice-versa, and we do not find that they are Tamei!]

Answer (R. Yitzchak bar Lazar): They are different, for they are partially on the sea, and partially on the dry land. (They are not brought totally onto the land.)

R. Aba bar Chanah's law [above, whether branches were cut for lying or for building, one must tie them] is like R. Yochanan;

(R. Chanina): We used to ascend with Rebbi to Chamas Geder, and he would tell us 'select smooth rocks, and you may move them tomorrow.'

R. Ze'ira said, [it is not permitted] until he smooths them. Talmidim say, until he rubs the mud off them. Chachamim of Tzipori say, until he intends for them. R. Yochanan said, until they have the form of a Kli.

You find that R. Aba bar Chanah, R. Yochanan and R. Yonason said the same matter (it must have the form of a Kli). Rav, R. Ze'ira and R. Yishmael b'Rebbi Yosi said the same matter (one must do a major act to shows that it is for lying). Chachamim of Tzipori, R. Yosi ben Sha'ul and R. Chalifta bar Sha'ul said the same matter (intent suffices). The Talmidim [who require full preparation] have no partner who holds like them].