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Building the Sukkah: Difference between revisions
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# There's three conditions regarding the S'chach (covering) of the Sukkah. It must be made from a material that grows from the ground, is unattached from the ground, and is impervious to impurity (see further for examples). <ref>S"A 629:1 </ref> | # There's three conditions regarding the S'chach (covering) of the Sukkah. It must be made from a material that grows from the ground, is unattached from the ground, and is impervious to impurity (see further for examples). <ref>S"A 629:1 </ref> | ||
# Metal, dirt, and animal hides are unfit for S'chach as they do not grow from the ground. <ref>S"A and Rama 629:1 </ref> | # Metal, dirt, and animal hides are unfit for S'chach as they do not grow from the ground. <ref>S"A and Rama 629:1 </ref> | ||
# Branches attached to a tree which is still attached to the ground is not fit for schach. Therefore, if one put that over his succah, and then decided to detach them from the tree one must shake each branch by lifting and placing back down, otherwise it is not kosher as this is a problem of taaseh vilo min ha'asuy. <ref> Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 123, Chazon Ovadia Succot page 33. </ref> | |||
# Bamboo mats made for S'chach which are 3x2 meters according to most poskim are fit for S'chach. <ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 25-6). Halichot Shlomo (pg 128) and [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 78-79:30) are also lenient unlike Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Sh"t Shevet HaLevi 6:74) who is strict. </ref> | # Bamboo mats made for S'chach which are 3x2 meters according to most poskim are fit for S'chach. <ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 25-6). Halichot Shlomo (pg 128) and [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 78-79:30) are also lenient unlike Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Sh"t Shevet HaLevi 6:74) who is strict. </ref> | ||
# The S'chach should be made so that there is a majority of shade and minority of sunlight that's let through the S'chach. If there's an equal amount of shade and sun in the actual S'chach it's unfit but if there's an equal amount of shade to light that shines on the floor of the Sukkah it's fit. <ref>S"A 631:1 and 4 </ref> | # The S'chach should be made so that there is a majority of shade and minority of sunlight that's let through the S'chach. If there's an equal amount of shade and sun in the actual S'chach it's unfit but if there's an equal amount of shade to light that shines on the floor of the Sukkah it's fit. <ref>S"A 631:1 and 4 </ref> | ||
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# If one made the S'chach very thin so that there's patches of empty space it's fit only if (1) there's no area of empty space larger than 3 [[Tefachim]] and (2) there is a majority of shade and minority of sunlight (counting the entire area of the S'chach). Even if it's an acceptable Sukkah, nonetheless, if there's a patch of 7x7 7 [[Tefachim]] which has more sunlight than shade one may not sit in that area. <ref>S"A 631:2 and 4 rules that if altogether there's a majority of shade and minority of sunlight and there's no open space of 3 [[Tefachim]] it's fit. Rama 631:2 adds that some are strict if there's an area of 7x7 [[Tefachim]] which has more sunlight than shade. The Aruch HaShulchan 631:5 and Mishna Brurah 631:4 writes that in such an area one may not sit. Mishna Brurah adds that if there's such a patch that breaks up one of the walls so that there's only 2 walls left then it puts the whole sukkah into question. </ref> | # If one made the S'chach very thin so that there's patches of empty space it's fit only if (1) there's no area of empty space larger than 3 [[Tefachim]] and (2) there is a majority of shade and minority of sunlight (counting the entire area of the S'chach). Even if it's an acceptable Sukkah, nonetheless, if there's a patch of 7x7 7 [[Tefachim]] which has more sunlight than shade one may not sit in that area. <ref>S"A 631:2 and 4 rules that if altogether there's a majority of shade and minority of sunlight and there's no open space of 3 [[Tefachim]] it's fit. Rama 631:2 adds that some are strict if there's an area of 7x7 [[Tefachim]] which has more sunlight than shade. The Aruch HaShulchan 631:5 and Mishna Brurah 631:4 writes that in such an area one may not sit. Mishna Brurah adds that if there's such a patch that breaks up one of the walls so that there's only 2 walls left then it puts the whole sukkah into question. </ref> | ||
# It's preferable not to put the S'chach directly on top of walls which are made out of material that's unfit for S'chach. <ref> Mishna Brurah 630:59, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 44) </ref>According to most leading authorities, however, it's permissible to place S'chach on top of a material that's fit for S'chach which is in turn held up by something that's unfit for S'chach. Therefore, if one has a metal frame one should place wooden planks on the frame and then S'chach on top of it. <ref>Mishna Brurah 629:26, BeYitzchak Yikra (Rav Nevensal) on that Mishna Brurah quoting Rav Shlomo Zalman, and Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 44) are lenient unlike the Chazon Ish 143:2-3. [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] (62:30-66:15) also seems to be lenient (listen for exact language). see Chelkat Yaakov 3:127, Minchat Shlomo 2:55 and Moadim u'zmanim 1:82. </ref> Bidieved, if the schach was placed directly on metal, it is kosher. <ref> Mishnah Berurah 629:22 and 630:58 </ref> | # It's preferable not to put the S'chach directly on top of walls which are made out of material that's unfit for S'chach. <ref> Mishna Brurah 630:59, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 44) </ref>According to most leading authorities, however, it's permissible to place S'chach on top of a material that's fit for S'chach which is in turn held up by something that's unfit for S'chach. Therefore, if one has a metal frame one should place wooden planks on the frame and then S'chach on top of it. <ref>Mishna Brurah 629:26, BeYitzchak Yikra (Rav Nevensal) on that Mishna Brurah quoting Rav Shlomo Zalman, and Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 44) are lenient unlike the Chazon Ish 143:2-3. [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] (62:30-66:15) also seems to be lenient (listen for exact language). see Chelkat Yaakov 3:127, Minchat Shlomo 2:55 and Moadim u'zmanim 1:82. </ref> Bidieved, if the schach was placed directly on metal, it is kosher. <ref> Mishnah Berurah 629:22 and 630:58 </ref> | ||
# One must ensure that one's Sukkah is under the open sky and not beneath a tree, roof of a house, or a porch. (For details about after the fact see the footnote.) <ref> Rama 626:1 writes that in all cases one should avoid building one's sukkah under a tree or roof. Mishna Brurah 626:1 and Aruch HaShulchan 626:1 explain that it's best to build the Sukkah under the open sky. So rules Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 11). However, after the fact, Aruch HaShulchan 626:1 writes if it's built under a roofed area it's unfit, but if it's built under a tree there is a discussion about when it is fit. S"A 626:1 (according to Biur Halacha D"H VeYesh, Mishna Berurah 626:10 and 11) rules that a sukkah under branches of a tree is fit only if it fits three requirements (See S"A with Mishna Berurah 626:10 and 11). (1) Among the branches of the tree there is majority of sun and minority shade (2) the there is less than four tefachim of tree branches over the schach, and (3) there is a majority of shade from the kosher schach and a minority of shade even without the tree branches (and even so the sachach under the tree branches itself is unfit but the rest of the sukkah is fit). </ref> | # One must ensure that one's Sukkah is under the open sky and not beneath a tree, roof of a house, or a porch. (For details about after the fact see the footnote.) <ref> Rama 626:1 writes that in all cases one should avoid building one's sukkah under a tree or roof. Mishna Brurah 626:1 and Aruch HaShulchan 626:1 explain that it's best to build the Sukkah under the open sky. So rules Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 11) and Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 125. However, after the fact, Aruch HaShulchan 626:1 writes if it's built under a roofed area it's unfit, but if it's built under a tree there is a discussion about when it is fit. S"A 626:1 (according to Biur Halacha D"H VeYesh, Mishna Berurah 626:10 and 11) rules that a sukkah under branches of a tree is fit only if it fits three requirements (See S"A with Mishna Berurah 626:10 and 11). (1) Among the branches of the tree there is majority of sun and minority shade (2) the there is less than four tefachim of tree branches over the schach, and (3) there is a majority of shade from the kosher schach and a minority of shade even without the tree branches (and even so the sachach under the tree branches itself is unfit but the rest of the sukkah is fit). </ref> | ||
# If one built a succah under a tree or a house which would render it unfit, and then removed the branches or the roof to make it kosher, this isn't a problem of taaseh vilo min ha'asuy as the problem was never in the schach itself. <ref> Chazon Ovadia page 33. </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 succah. </ref> Kaf Hachayim 635:8 </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 succah. </ref> Kaf Hachayim 635:8 </ref> | ||
==When should one build the Sukkah?== | ==When should one build the Sukkah?== | ||
# The pious are careful to build to begin building the Sukkah on Motzei [[Yom Kippur]] and finish it the next day in order to go from one mitzvah ([[Yom Kippur]]) to another (Sukkot). <ref>Rama 624:5, Mishan brurah 624:19 </ref> | # The pious are careful to build to begin building the Sukkah on Motzei [[Yom Kippur]] and finish it the next day in order to go from one mitzvah ([[Yom Kippur]]) to another (Sukkot). <ref>Rama 624:5, Mishan brurah 624:19, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 118, Chazon Ovadia Succot page 99 </ref> | ||
# If there is a shabbat between Yom Kippur and Succot some poskim say that there is an obligation to build it before that shabbat. Avnei Nezer 459 writes that this obligation isn't just because of zrizin makdimin limitzvot and therefore it is an obligation. However, the Minchat Elazar 4:55 writes that this is not an obligation but just the preferred option, and this is the conclusion of Yalkut Yosef page 118 and Chazon Ovadia Succot page 99. </ref> | |||
# Preferably, one should build it for himself, but if this isn't possible he should appoint an agent to do it for him and strive to at least take part in the building in some form even if this means missing out on more learning time. <ref> Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 199, Chazon Ovadia Succot page 99 </ref> | |||
# If a Sukkah was set up with the S'chach from before 30 days before sukkot and it wasn't made for the purpose of the mitzvah of Sukkot one must change or improve one thing (such as putting down S'chach) of an area a Tefach by a Tefach or the whole width even if it's of minimal length (or vice versa). However, if it was made within 30 days of Sukkot or was made for the express purpose of Sukkot it's fit even without any change. However, if the Sukkah was originally built for Sukkot and stands unchanged year to year it requires some change the each year. This is only if the S'chach was put in advance but if just the walls were putup in advance and not the S'chach there's no issue. <ref>S"A 636:1, Mishna Brurah 636:1, 5-7. Mishna Brurah 636:4 also points out that this is only the preferable course of action (but after the fact isn't absolutely necessary). </ref> | # If a Sukkah was set up with the S'chach from before 30 days before sukkot and it wasn't made for the purpose of the mitzvah of Sukkot one must change or improve one thing (such as putting down S'chach) of an area a Tefach by a Tefach or the whole width even if it's of minimal length (or vice versa). However, if it was made within 30 days of Sukkot or was made for the express purpose of Sukkot it's fit even without any change. However, if the Sukkah was originally built for Sukkot and stands unchanged year to year it requires some change the each year. This is only if the S'chach was put in advance but if just the walls were putup in advance and not the S'chach there's no issue. <ref>S"A 636:1, Mishna Brurah 636:1, 5-7. Mishna Brurah 636:4 also points out that this is only the preferable course of action (but after the fact isn't absolutely necessary). </ref> | ||
# If you forgot to build a sukkah before Sukkot one can build it on chol hamoed. However, one may not build it or fix it on [[Yom Tov]]. <ref>S"A 637:1, Mishna Brurah 637:1 </ref> | # If you forgot to build a sukkah before Sukkot one can build it on chol hamoed. However, one may not build it or fix it on [[Yom Tov]]. <ref>S"A 637:1, Mishna Brurah 637:1 </ref> | ||
==Decorations of the Sukkah== | ==Decorations of the Sukkah== | ||
# It is a mitzvah to decorate and | # It is a mitzvah to decorate and beautify the sukkah. <ref>Gemara [[Shabbat]] 133b, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 74). Mishna Brurah 638:11 writes that it's a mitzvah to decorate the sukkah with important fruit and clothes, however, one should not hang nice fruit if one has children and one knows that the children will rip them down and eat them. </ref> | ||
# The decorations of the Sukkah are forbidden from benefit all 8 days of Sukkot unless one stipulates before [[Yom Tov]] that I want to be able to eat and get benefit from these decorations at any time during the holiday. <ref>S"A 638:2, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 77) </ref> | # The decorations of the Sukkah are forbidden from benefit all 8 days of Sukkot unless one stipulates before [[Yom Tov]] that I want to be able to eat and get benefit from these decorations at any time during the holiday. <ref>S"A 638:2, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 77) </ref> | ||
# If the decorations fell on Chol HaMoed one may move them and put them back up, however, one may not benefit from it (if it's food one may not eat it) unless one stipulated as above. <ref>Mishna Brurah 638:13-4, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 83)</ref> | # If the decorations fell on Chol HaMoed one may move them and put them back up, however, one may not benefit from it (if it's food one may not eat it) unless one stipulated as above. <ref>Mishna Brurah 638:13-4, Chazon Ovadyah (Sukkot pg 83)</ref> | ||
