Shemini Aseret: Difference between revisions

# It makes no difference for our purposes if one actually knew it was Shemini Aseret and just mistakenly said the wrong words, or if the cause of his error was that he did not know that it was Shemini Aseret. In all of these cases if he did not mention Shemini Aseret correctly, he must repeat the amidah. <ref> Chazon Ovadia [[Sukkot]] 451-454. See there where Hacham Ovadia quotes many who agree with him among them Maran Hachida, Rav Chaim Palaggi, Ma'amar Mordechai, Maharsham in the name of Rav Akiva Eiger, S'deh Chemed, Shoel Umeshiv, and Rav Moshe Feinstein, and some who disagree, among them the Kaf Hachaim Sofer, Chayeh Adam, Bet Yehudah Ayash, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and the Tzitz Eliezer, but it seems from there that majority of the Acharonim say like this, for both Sephardim and Ashkenazim. </ref>

===Torah Reading===

==Eating and sleeping in the Sukkah==

===Outside Israel===

* Even though the pasuk in Parashat Emor (Leviticus 23:42) states בסוכות תשבו שבעת ימים, meaning you shall dwell in sukkot for seven days, we sit in the sukkah out of the doubt that it may be the 7th day of sukkot which would require sitting in a sukkah. </ref> There’s a minhag to be lenient regarding [[eating in the Sukkah]] on Shemini Aseret, however, one should not follow this unless one has accepted this practice from his parents or rabbis. <Ref> There’s an old minhag to be lenient not to eat in the [[Sukkah]] on Shemini Aseret from the time of Rashi recorded in Sefer HaPardes, Machzor Vitri (Siman 284), and Maharil (Hilchot [[lulav]]) (see nitei Gavriel (Arba Minim) Sh”t 4). The Piskei Teshuvot 668:1 brings in the name of the achronim that there’s room to be lenient since the Korban Netanel writes that the entire establishment of [[sitting in the Sukkah]] on the eighth day is based on the assumption that it’s comfortable and beloved to a person, however, if it’s cold or wind is present then one shouldn’t sit in the [[Sukkah]]. However, the Piskei Teshuvot concludes that one must be stringent based on the Sh”t Divrei Israel 1:200 that one shouldn't follow this minhag unless one has a tradition for it and it’s not comfortable outside. Aruch HaShulchan 668:3 writes that the gedolim have criticized those who just eat [[Kiddish]] in the [[Sukkah]] and then eat a meal inside. Mishna Brurah 668:5 also seems to hold that regarding eating one shouldn’t change from the ruling of S”A (which is based on an explicit gemara). Chazon Ovadyah ([[Sukkot]] pg 479) also rules like Shulchan Aruch.</ref>

===An American in Israel===

# A Jew from outside Israel who is visiting Israel for [[Sukkot]] should not eat in the [[Sukkah]] if it’s difficult to sit alone in the [[Sukkah]]. <Ref> Nitai Gavriel (Hilchot Arbah Minim Sh”t 8), Sh”t Minchat Yitzchak 9:54, [[Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach]] in Sh”t Minchat Shlomo 1:19, [[Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef]] in Chazon Ovadyah [[Sukkot]] (pg 480-1), Ot Hei LeOlam (vol 2 pg 87c; quoted by Sdei Chemed [[Sukkah]] 1)</ref> However, if he is alone anyway, such as if he’s in a hotel, Sephardim holds that he should eat in the [[Sukkah]], while Ashkenazim hold that in Israel one doesn't sit in the [[Sukkah]] on Shemini Aseret. <Ref> Chazon Ovadyah [[Sukkot]] (pg 480-1) writes explicitly that if it’s not difficult to eat in the [[Sukkah]] such as one is staying by himself then he should sit in the [[Sukkah]]. However, Sh”t Minchat Shlomo 1:19 exempts such a person in all circumstances. So writes the Piskei Teshuvot 668:2 in name of Sh”t Minchat Yitzchak and Sh”t Minchat Shlomo. </ref>

===In Israel===

# In Israel, if one must eat or sleep in a [[Sukkah]] on Shemini Aseret as there’s no room inside, then one should remove 4x4 [[Tefachim]] of [[S'chach]] to show that one doesn’t intend to add to the mitzvah ([[Baal Tosif]]). <Ref>S”A 666:1 writes that in Israel, if one must eat or sleep in a [[Sukkah]] on Shemini Aseret as there’s no room inside, then one should remove 4x4 [[Tefachim]] of [[S'chach]] to show that one doesn’t intend to add to the mitzvah ([[Baal Tosif]]). Mishna Brurah 666:5 explains that there’s no real [[Bal Tosif]] since one doesn’t violate [[Bal Tosif]] unless one intends to add to the mitzvah while it isn't the time of the mitzvah, however, there is an issue of appearing like adding to the mitzvah which is only applicable on Shemini Aseret. Nitei Gavriel 81:4 writes simply that same needs to be done if one needs to sleep in the [[Sukkah]] on Shemini Aseret. see also [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/782472/Rabbi_Zvi_Sobolofsky/Simchas_Torah_-_How_to_'kosher'_a_Sukkah_for_Simchas_Torah Simchas Torah-How to 'kosher' a Sukkah for Simchas Torah] by Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky</ref>

# An alternative to removing [[S'chach]] is to put a tarp on top or below 4x4 [[Tefachim]] of [[S'chach]] as long as the tarp is within 3 [[Tefachim]] of the [[S'chach]]. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 666:1 quotes the Bikurei Yacov 666:5 who says that using 4x4 invalid [[S'chach]] isn't sufficient against the Bigdei Yesha who permits but then adds that even the Bikurei Yacov agrees that putting a tarp 4x4 [[Tefachim]] on top or below the shach within 3 [[Tefachim]] of the [[S'chach]] is sufficient. </ref>

# Because Shemini Aseret is an independent holiday, the beracha of [[Shehecheyanu]] must be recited at [[kiddush]]. <ref> Chazon Ovadia [[Sukkot]] p 451 quoting Masechet Sofrim </ref>

# If someone mistakenly said the [[kiddush]] for [[Sukkot]] instead of the [[kiddush]] for Shemini Aseret, he must return and repeat the [[kiddush]]. <ref> Chazon Ovadia [[Sukkot]] 451-454 </ref>

# Similarly, one should not make [[Kiddush]] on the night of [[Simchat Torah]] before certain nightfall (i.e. [[Tzet HaCochavim]]). <Ref>Kaf HaChaim 668:10 quoting Ben Ish Chai (Vezot HaBrachot #13), Nitei Gavriel 92:2 </ref>