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Building the Sukkah: Difference between revisions

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==Number of Walls of the Sukkah==
==Number of Walls of the Sukkah==
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#The minimum number of walls necessary for a [[Sukkah]] is 3 of length 7 [[Tefachim]]. <ref>The Mishna Sukkah 2a states that a sukkah requires only three walls. The Gemara (Sukkah 6b) quotes a Tosefta (Sukkah 1:9) which records a dispute about how many walls are needed for a sukkah. The Rabbis hold that a sukkah requires two full walls and a third wall of at least a tefach, while Rabbi Shimon holds that a sukkah requires three full walls and a fourth wall of at least a tefach. The Shulchan Aruch 630:2 rules in accordance with the Rabbis. The Chaye Adam (146:3) writes that it is preferable to construct a sukkah of four complete walls, however, he agrees that this is not required.</ref> It's possible to build the third wall without having to complete it but see footnote for details. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 630:2 according to the explanation of the Mishna Brurah 630:6 the third wall doesn't have to be a full wall of 7 [[Tefachim]] but must still look like a wall and so it's permissible to build two walls next to each other (say one is from southwest to southeast and the other is southeast to northeast) and then a third wall (from northeast to northwest) constructed with a wall which is more than one [[Tefach]] thick within 3 [[Tefachim]] to one of the two other walls (within 3 [[Tefachim]] of the northeast corner) and also a pole at the end of 7 [[Tefachim]] (7 [[Tefachim]] from the northeast corner) and a pole on top of the more than one [[tefach]] wall and the pole at the end of 7 [[Tefachim]]. See picture. [[Image:Minimum_sukkah.png | 100px | right]]</ref>
#[[File:3D Sukkah Model.jpg|thumb|A kosher sukkah with 2.5 walls.]]The minimum number of walls necessary for a [[Sukkah]] is 3 of length 7 [[Tefachim]]. <ref>The Mishna Sukkah 2a states that a sukkah requires only three walls. The Gemara (Sukkah 6b) quotes a Tosefta (Sukkah 1:9) which records a dispute about how many walls are needed for a sukkah. The Rabbis hold that a sukkah requires two full walls and a third wall of at least a tefach, while Rabbi Shimon holds that a sukkah requires three full walls and a fourth wall of at least a tefach. The Shulchan Aruch 630:2 rules in accordance with the Rabbis. The Chaye Adam (146:3) writes that it is preferable to construct a sukkah of four complete walls, however, he agrees that this is not required.</ref> It's possible to build the third wall without having to complete it but see footnote for details. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 630:2 according to the explanation of the Mishna Brurah 630:6 the third wall doesn't have to be a full wall of 7 [[Tefachim]] but must still look like a wall and so it's permissible to build two walls next to each other (say one is from southwest to southeast and the other is southeast to northeast) and then a third wall (from northeast to northwest) constructed with a wall which is more than one [[Tefach]] thick within 3 [[Tefachim]] to one of the two other walls (within 3 [[Tefachim]] of the northeast corner) and also a pole at the end of 7 [[Tefachim]] (7 [[Tefachim]] from the northeast corner) and a pole on top of the more than one [[tefach]] wall and the pole at the end of 7 [[Tefachim]]. See picture. [[Image:Minimum_sukkah.png | 100px | right]]</ref>


===Dimensions===
===Dimensions===
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#All materials are permissible to be for the walls of a [[Sukkah]] (see next halacha). Some say that that a pious person should preferably only  use materials that aren't Biblically unfit for [[S'chach]]. <ref>The Mishna Sukkah 12a declares that all materials are valid for the walls. Shulchan Aruch 630:1 codifies this. Interestingly, the Bach OC 630:1 writes that a pious person should be strict for the Or Zarua (Hilchot Sukkah 2:289:2 quoted by Hagahot Ashri 1:24) who holds that one should not use materials that one may not use for schach for the walls of the sukkah, such as materials that are susceptible to impurity. The Biur Hagra 630:1 questions the Hagahot Ashri, since the Yerushalmi he quotes as a proof, in fact says exactly the opposite. Beiur Halacha s.v. Kol quotes two reasons that a pious person should be strict only to use materials that are not unfit biblically for [[S'chach]] based on the Bach siman 630, but quotes others who reject this stringency. See Chazon Ovadia [[Sukkot]] 1-2 for a list of poskim as well even though he allows the use of these materials. Chazon Ovadia pp. 1-2 as well as Aruch Hashulchan 630:1-2 both say that most achronim do not hold of this stringency and allow one to use materials that are mekabel tumah for the walls.  </ref> Nonetheless, one should avoid using any material that emits a foul odor.<ref>Rama 630:1</ref>
#All materials are permissible to be for the walls of a [[Sukkah]] (see next halacha). Some say that that a pious person should preferably only  use materials that aren't Biblically unfit for [[S'chach]]. <ref>The Mishna Sukkah 12a declares that all materials are valid for the walls. Shulchan Aruch 630:1 codifies this. Interestingly, the Bach OC 630:1 writes that a pious person should be strict for the Or Zarua (Hilchot Sukkah 2:289:2 quoted by Hagahot Ashri 1:24) who holds that one should not use materials that one may not use for schach for the walls of the sukkah, such as materials that are susceptible to impurity. The Biur Hagra 630:1 questions the Hagahot Ashri, since the Yerushalmi he quotes as a proof, in fact says exactly the opposite. Beiur Halacha s.v. Kol quotes two reasons that a pious person should be strict only to use materials that are not unfit biblically for [[S'chach]] based on the Bach siman 630, but quotes others who reject this stringency. See Chazon Ovadia [[Sukkot]] 1-2 for a list of poskim as well even though he allows the use of these materials. Chazon Ovadia pp. 1-2 as well as Aruch Hashulchan 630:1-2 both say that most achronim do not hold of this stringency and allow one to use materials that are mekabel tumah for the walls.  </ref> Nonetheless, one should avoid using any material that emits a foul odor.<ref>Rama 630:1</ref>
#Accordingly, one may even form a sukkah outside of one’s car by opening the doors on one side of the car and placing schach over them.<ref>R’ Moshe Heinemann permits this (http://www.jewishworldreview.com/1000/sukkah.car.html) . When building one’s sukkah in this manner he should also ensure that 1) the doors of the sukkah reach within three tefachim of the ground, to accomplish this it may help to park near the curb (see section titled “Lavud”) 2) the door on the opposite side of the car remains closed, 3) one may not use the seat of the car as one’s table even if he only plans to eat under the schach.  </ref>
#Accordingly, one may even form a sukkah outside of one’s car by opening the doors on one side of the car and placing schach over them.<ref>R’ Moshe Heinemann permits this (http://www.jewishworldreview.com/1000/sukkah.car.html) . When building one’s sukkah in this manner he should also ensure that 1) the doors of the sukkah reach within three tefachim of the ground, to accomplish this it may help to park near the curb (see section titled “Lavud”) 2) the door on the opposite side of the car remains closed, 3) one may not use the seat of the car as one’s table even if he only plans to eat under the schach.  </ref>
#Many authorities hold that plastic curtains (tarp, canvas) are unfit for walls of a [[Sukkah]], while others permit. [This is not because of an issue with the material itself but because of an issue with it blowing in the wind.] <ref>Rav Ovadiah Yosef in Chazon Ovadyah (pg 1-5), Yabia Omer OC 9:59, and Yechave Daat 3:46, Rav Menashe Klein Mishnah Halachot 512, Rav Chaim Zonnenfeld in Salmat Chaim 254 and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo ([[Sukkah]] 7:1 pg 97) hold that plastic curtains that sway in the wind even slightly are unfit for walls of a [[Sukkah]]. [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/764662/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%99_%D7%99%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9B'%D7%A4_%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%AA Rav Hershel Schachter] (min 72-80) explains that even though the Chazon Ish (hilchot eruvin 13:6) was lenient, most poskim are strict. Rav Schachter leaves an absolute guideline unclear but in a situation of extreme need one could rely on the Chazon Ish.<br />
#Many authorities hold that plastic curtains (tarp, canvas) are unfit for walls of a [[Sukkah]], while others permit. [This is not because of an issue with the material itself but because of an issue with it blowing in the wind.] <ref>Rav Ovadiah Yosef in Chazon Ovadyah (pg 1-5), Yabia Omer OC 9:59, and Yechave Daat 3:46, Rav Menashe Klein Mishnah Halachot 512, Rav Chaim Zonnenfeld in Salmat Chaim 254 and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo ([[Sukkah]] 7:1 pg 97) hold that plastic curtains that sway in the wind even slightly are unfit for walls of a [[Sukkah]]. [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/764662/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%99_%D7%99%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9B'%D7%A4_%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%AA Rav Hershel Schachter] (min 72-80) explains that even though the Chazon Ish (hilchot eruvin 13:6) was lenient, most poskim are strict. In a situation of extreme need Rav Schachter thought one could rely on the Chazon Ish to eat in such a sukkah.<br />
'''Background'''
'''Background'''
*In Gemara Sukkah 24b, Rav Acha Bar Yaakov states that a wall that cannot stand in the wind is not considered a valid wall. The Chazon Ish (Hilchot Eruvin 13:6) suggests that a wall is not valid only if it falls or sways more than three tefachim in normal wind. However, Rav Ovadia Yosef in Chazon Ovadia pp. 1-5 and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichot Shlomo Sukkah 7:1 p. 97) hold that plastic curtains that sway in the wind even slightly are unfit for walls of a Sukkah. Rav Ovadia adds, based on Shulchan Aruch 630:10, that this is true even if one ties down the ends because we are concerned that the ties will loosen and that he will not notice. Rav Moshe Feinstein in Sh”t Iggrot Moshe 5:40:2 writes that one should not misinterpret the prevalence of these canvas sukkot as an endorsement of their validity. On the other hand, some achronim (Rav Sonnenfeld, Rav Menashe Klein, and Rav Shternbuch all cited in Piskei Teshuvot 630:9) justify the common practice to use canvas Sukkot since nowadays they are put together well, so the concern of the Shulchan Aruch that the ties may become loose no longer applies.
*In Gemara Sukkah 24b, Rav Acha Bar Yaakov states that a wall that cannot stand in the wind is not considered a valid wall. The Chazon Ish (Hilchot Eruvin 13:6) suggests that a wall is not valid only if it falls or sways more than three tefachim in normal wind. However, Rav Ovadia Yosef in Chazon Ovadia pp. 1-5 and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichot Shlomo Sukkah 7:1 p. 97) hold that plastic curtains that sway in the wind even slightly are unfit for walls of a Sukkah. Rav Ovadia adds, based on Shulchan Aruch 630:10, that this is true even if one ties down the ends because we are concerned that the ties will loosen and that he will not notice. Rav Moshe Feinstein in Sh”t Iggrot Moshe 5:40:2 writes that one should not misinterpret the prevalence of these canvas sukkot as an endorsement of their validity. On the other hand, some achronim (Rav Sonnenfeld, Rav Menashe Klein, and Rav Shternbuch all cited in Piskei Teshuvot 630:9) justify the common practice to use canvas Sukkot since nowadays they are put together well, so the concern of the Shulchan Aruch that the ties may become loose no longer applies.
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#Throughout the entire holiday, it is Biblically forbidden to derive benefit from any of the essential materials used in building the sukkah. Regarding these materials, a stipulation will not permit one to derive benefit from them. <ref>Mishna Brurah 638:1 explaining Shulchan Aruch there. See Tosfot (Sukkah 9a s.v. minayin). The Rama 638:1 notes that the essential materials of the sukkah can’t be used even if makes a stipulation that they should not be designated for a mitzvah.</ref>
#Throughout the entire holiday, it is Biblically forbidden to derive benefit from any of the essential materials used in building the sukkah. Regarding these materials, a stipulation will not permit one to derive benefit from them. <ref>Mishna Brurah 638:1 explaining Shulchan Aruch there. See Tosfot (Sukkah 9a s.v. minayin). The Rama 638:1 notes that the essential materials of the sukkah can’t be used even if makes a stipulation that they should not be designated for a mitzvah.</ref>


==Covering the Sukkah in case of rain==
==Covering the Sukkah in case of Rain==


#It's permissible to cover the [[Sukkah]] on Shabbat and Yom Tov with a plastic tarp to prevent it from getting wet if one places the tarp directly above the Schach and not a [[tefach]] above the Schach and one has in mind to remove the tarp when one next uses the [[Sukkah]] for the mitzvah. <ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe 5:39(4) writes that it's permissible to cover the [[Sukkah]] with a plastic sheet on [[Shabbat]] and [[Yom Tov]] without an issue of Boneh by making an Ohel nor the issue of [[muktzeh]]. </ref>
#It's permissible to cover the [[Sukkah]] on Shabbat and Yom Tov with a plastic tarp to prevent it from getting wet if one places the tarp directly above the Schach and not a [[tefach]] above the Schach and one has in mind to remove the tarp when one next uses the [[Sukkah]] for the mitzvah. <ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe 5:39(4) writes that it's permissible to cover the [[Sukkah]] with a plastic sheet on [[Shabbat]] and [[Yom Tov]] without an issue of Boneh by making an Ohel nor the issue of [[muktzeh]]. </ref>
==Using Someone Else's Sukkah without their Permission==
#One shouldn't use someone's sukkah without their permission.<ref>Rama 637:3, Halachos of Other People's pg. 67<br>
*Mishna Brura 637:9 quotes the Taz 637:4 that the reason for this is that it would be an invasion of the owner's privacy
*Mishna Brura 637:9 quotes Eliya Rabba 637:3 who explains that you might not finish eating before the owner wants to enter, but the owner will be too embarrassed to ask you to leave
*Mekor Chaim 637 says because you might leave a mess.
*Halachos of Other People's Money pg. 68 note 184 writes that the practical difference between these reasons is that according to the first two, one who is certain that the owner is not around would be permitted to use it, but not according to the third reason.</ref>


==Links==
==Links==
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[[Category:Holidays]]
[[Category:Holidays]]
[[Category:Sukkot]]
[[Category:Sukkot]]
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