3,231
edits
Building the Sukkah: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
no edit summary
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
==Building the Sukkah== | ==Building the Sukkah== | ||
# One should try to begin building the [[sukkah]] immediately after [[Yom Kippur]] so that he goes one from one mitzvah to another. <ref> Rama 624:5 and 625:1 </ref> | # One should try to begin building the [[sukkah]] immediately after [[Yom Kippur]] so that he goes one from one mitzvah to another. <ref> Rama 624:5 and 625:1 </ref> | ||
# One should try to personally be involved in the construction of his [[sukkah]]. <ref> Rav Reuven Margolis in Nefesh Chaya 625:1 writes that even one who cannot sit in the [[Sukkah]] for whatever reason and has no male family members that are required to sit in the [[Sukkah]], still should have a [[Sukkah]] built to at least perform the mitzvah of "Building" a [[Sukkah]]. He cites the Gemara Makkot 8a, Shvuot 29a, and Yerushalmi [[Berachot]] 9:3 that a beracha is recited on the construction of a [[sukkah]]. </ref> If one is unable to build a [[Sukkah]] on their own and has someone else do it for them, it is proper to have the one building it to at least leave off a small amount of Schach for the owner of the [[Sukkah]] to put up by himself. <ref> Kaf HaChaim | # One should try to personally be involved in the construction of his [[sukkah]]. <ref> Rav Reuven Margolis in Nefesh Chaya 625:1 writes that even one who cannot sit in the [[Sukkah]] for whatever reason and has no male family members that are required to sit in the [[Sukkah]], still should have a [[Sukkah]] built to at least perform the mitzvah of "Building" a [[Sukkah]]. He cites the Gemara Makkot 8a, Shvuot 29a, and Yerushalmi [[Berachot]] 9:3 that a beracha is recited on the construction of a [[sukkah]]. </ref> If one is unable to build a [[Sukkah]] on their own and has someone else do it for them, it is proper to have the one building it to at least leave off a small amount of Schach for the owner of the [[Sukkah]] to put up by himself. <ref> Kaf HaChaim 625:11. see also [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=684&txtSearch=build%20succah Rabbi Eli Mansour's Dailyhalacha] for a longer discussion </ref> | ||
625:11. see also [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=684&txtSearch=build%20succah Rabbi Eli Mansour's Dailyhalacha] for a longer discussion </ref> | |||
# Although it is permitted for any person to place the [[schach]] <ref> Shulchan Aruch 635:1 </ref>, it is preferable to be stringent and have an adult Jewish male place it on the [[sukkah]]. <ref> Kaf Hachayim 635:8, Chida in Sefer Kaf Achat 24:2 </ref> | # Although it is permitted for any person to place the [[schach]] <ref> Shulchan Aruch 635:1 </ref>, it is preferable to be stringent and have an adult Jewish male place it on the [[sukkah]]. <ref> Kaf Hachayim 635:8, Chida in Sefer Kaf Achat 24:2 </ref> | ||
# When one appoints someone else to build their [[Sukkah]], it is proper to say to them "You are my messenger to do this Mitzvah of putting up my [[Sukkah]] and Schach for the Mitzvah <ref> Kaf HaChaim 625:11 </ref> | # When one appoints someone else to build their [[Sukkah]], it is proper to say to them "You are my messenger to do this Mitzvah of putting up my [[Sukkah]] and Schach for the Mitzvah <ref> Kaf HaChaim 625:11 </ref> | ||
==Number of walls of the Sukkah== | ==Number of walls of the Sukkah== | ||
<div style="float:right"><include iframe src="https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/embed.html?mid=7d4a049fe9d8431049a0aa36c725fcc8" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="400" height="300" /></div> | <div style="float:right"><include iframe src="https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/embed.html?mid=7d4a049fe9d8431049a0aa36c725fcc8" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="400" height="300" /></div> | ||
# 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> S"A 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> | # 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> S"A 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=== | |||
# The minimum measure of a [[Sukkah]] is 7 [[Tefachim]] in length by 7 [[Tefachim]] in width and 10 [[Tefachim]] in height. <ref>S"A 633:8, 634:1, Chazon Ovadia [[sukkot]] page 9. </ref> | # The minimum measure of a [[Sukkah]] is 7 [[Tefachim]] in length by 7 [[Tefachim]] in width and 10 [[Tefachim]] in height. <ref>S"A 633:8, 634:1, Chazon Ovadia [[sukkot]] page 9. </ref> | ||
# A sukkah must be at least ten tefachim tall.<ref>Mishna (Sukkah 2a), Rambam Hilchot Sukkah 4:1, Tur and Shulchan Aruch 633:8 </ref> | |||
# If the walls of the sukkah are 10 tefachim tall, but they do not reach up to the sechach, the sukkah is kosher as long as the walls are lined up with the roof or within 3 tefachim, based on the principle of gud asik mechitzta.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Sukkot pg. 12.<br /> | # If the walls of the sukkah are 10 tefachim tall, but they do not reach up to the sechach, the sukkah is kosher as long as the walls are lined up with the roof or within 3 tefachim, based on the principle of gud asik mechitzta.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Sukkot pg. 12.<br /> | ||
The Gemara (3a) records three opinions regarding the minimum area of a sukkah. Rebbe believes that the minimum area is four amot by four amot. Beit Hillel maintains that a sukkah only needs to fit one’s head and body, which is estimated to be about six by six tefachim. Beit Shammai rules that the sukkah must also be able to fit a small table, and thus must be at least seven by seven tefachim. The gemara rules in accordance with Beit Shamai, and this is codified in the S”A 634:1. See Tosfot 3a s.v. di’amar for a list of cases where halacha accords with Beit Shammai. </ref> According to most poskim, it is permitted to make a sukkah in different shapes as long as a sukkah of 7 x 7 tefachim is able to fit inside it.<ref> The achronim discuss whether a sukkah that is longer than seven tefachim but narrower than seven (e.g. 5 by 8) is valid. The Mishna Brurah 634:1 writes that most achronim agree that this sukkah is invalid. Chazon Ovadia p. 11 agrees. Shulchan Aruch 634:2 writes that one may construct a sukkah of other shapes, such as a circle, as long as a sukkah of seven tefachim by seven tefachim can fit inside it. </ref> | The Gemara (3a) records three opinions regarding the minimum area of a sukkah. Rebbe believes that the minimum area is four amot by four amot. Beit Hillel maintains that a sukkah only needs to fit one’s head and body, which is estimated to be about six by six tefachim. Beit Shammai rules that the sukkah must also be able to fit a small table, and thus must be at least seven by seven tefachim. The gemara rules in accordance with Beit Shamai, and this is codified in the S”A 634:1. See Tosfot 3a s.v. di’amar for a list of cases where halacha accords with Beit Shammai. </ref> According to most poskim, it is permitted to make a sukkah in different shapes as long as a sukkah of 7 x 7 tefachim is able to fit inside it.<ref> The achronim discuss whether a sukkah that is longer than seven tefachim but narrower than seven (e.g. 5 by 8) is valid. The Mishna Brurah 634:1 writes that most achronim agree that this sukkah is invalid. Chazon Ovadia p. 11 agrees. Shulchan Aruch 634:2 writes that one may construct a sukkah of other shapes, such as a circle, as long as a sukkah of seven tefachim by seven tefachim can fit inside it. </ref> | ||
# There is no maximum width or length but the maximum height is 20 [[Amot]]. <ref>S"A 633:1, 634:1 </ref> | # There is no maximum width or length but the maximum height is 20 [[Amot]]. <ref>S"A 633:1, 634:1 </ref> | ||
# The walls must be built within 3 [[Tefachim]] of the ground. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 630:9, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo (7:5, p. 100), Chazon Ovadia Sukkot pg. 12 </ref> | # The walls must be built within 3 [[Tefachim]] of the ground. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 630:9, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo (7:5, p. 100), Chazon Ovadia Sukkot pg. 12 </ref> | ||
| Line 23: | Line 20: | ||
# If there are 3 walls of 7 tefachim, the schach that extends beyond the third wall is valid and included in the sukkah.<ref> S”A 631:7, Mishna Brurah 631:15 </ref> | # If there are 3 walls of 7 tefachim, the schach that extends beyond the third wall is valid and included in the sukkah.<ref> S”A 631:7, Mishna Brurah 631:15 </ref> | ||
# If the third wall is a complete wall of 7 tefachim the sukkah is valid even if it far from the other walls.<ref> Chut Shani (Sukkah p. 225), cf. Rama 630:3 </ref> | # If the third wall is a complete wall of 7 tefachim the sukkah is valid even if it far from the other walls.<ref> Chut Shani (Sukkah p. 225), cf. Rama 630:3 </ref> | ||
# Sephardim hold that one may create the walls of the sukkah by placing several poles within three tefachim of each other. This is true whether the poles are placed horizontally or vertically. <ref> Kaf Hachaim 630:18 writes that one may create a sukkah with three walls by placing poles within 3 tefachim of each other, either horizontally or vertically. Chazon Ovadia pp. 5-6 agrees and thus allows building a sukkah on a porch enclosed on three sides by bars with less than three tefachim space between them. </ref> Ashkenazim allow this only if one either one makes 4 walls with lavud or has cloth walls in addition to the 3 lavud walls.<ref>Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo (7:2, p. 98). However, Tosfot (Sukkah 16b s.v. bifachot) holds that one cannot create a wall completely based on lavud, meaning, one cannot make entire walls of either vertical or horizontal beams within three tefachim of each other. Magen Avraham 630:1 writes that Tosfot would validate a sukkah with walls made of only vertical or horizontal beams if the sukkah has four walls. Mishna Brurah 630:7 rules like this Magen Avraham, but in Shaar Hatziyun 630:49 he allows the use of vertical or horizontal beams to construct a three-walled sukkah when clothes are used to form the walls. In this case, even if one is strict to not use cloth, one can be lenient because the lavud walls would serve as backup if the cloth did untie. Chazon Ish 75:12 is strict even if one builds four walls with these beams, against the Magen Avraham. </ref> | |||
==Building a Sukkah in the street== | ==Building a Sukkah in the street== | ||
# If there's no room on private property to build a [[Sukkah]] and the city leaders (mayor) give permission, it's permissible to build it in the public street however one should make sure that the [[Sukkah]] doesn't to block walkers (traffic). <ref> Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo (7:11, pg 109) </ref> | # If there's no room on private property to build a [[Sukkah]] and the city leaders (mayor) give permission, it's permissible to build it in the public street however one should make sure that the [[Sukkah]] doesn't to block walkers (traffic). <ref> Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo (7:11, pg 109) </ref> | ||
