The Walls of the sukka
the laws of THE FESTIVALS
THE LAWS OF
SUKKOT
by Rav David
Brofsky
Shiur #15 The Walls of the Sukka
Last week, we discussed the dimensions of a valid sukka. We learned that one should optimally
construct a sukka of at least three
valid walls, each at least seven tefachim long and ten tefachim
high. We noted that through
employing the principles of lavud and gud asik mechitza, one may
even use a wall of slightly over seven tefachim and suspend it within
three tefachim of the ground.
When building a sukka only ten
tefachim high, one can even use a solid material slightly over four
tefachim long and suspend it within three tefachim of the ground
and within three tefachim of the sekhakh.
We also learned that a sukka should not be higher than twenty
amot from the ground. In addition, the minimum area of a sukka should be at least seven tefachim by seven tefachim, enough space for ones head,
the majority of ones body, and a small table.
Although the Talmud permits one to construct the walls of the sukka from any material, discussing scenarios in which one may use an animal (Sukka 23a) or ones friend
(Eruvin 44a-b) as a wall, the gemara
establishes certain limitations to this principle. For example, the gemara (24a)
teaches that the walls of the sukka
must be able to withstand a common wind (ruach metzuya) without
moving.
If he makes his sukka
between trees so that the trees form its walls, it is valid. R. Acha b. Yaakov said: A partition
which is unable to withstand a normal wind is not a valid partition. Have we not learned: If he makes his sukka between trees, so that the trees
form its walls, it is valid - but do [the trees] not sway to and fro? We are
dealing here with solid [trees].
But are there not the swaying branches? [It refers to] where he plaited
it with shrubbery and bay-trees.
The gemara describes how one may use trees as the walls for
ones sukka as long as the trees are
solid and firmly rooted and the branches are tied down. Apparently, R. Acha b. Yaakov
understands that although the wind will not knock down the walls of the sukka, walls that move cannot be
considered halakhically valid walls (Shaar Ha-Tziyun 45).
Some (Chazon Ish, Hilkhot Eruvin 13:6) suggest that a
mechitza that cannot withstand a ruach metzuya is not valid only
when the walls move in a fashion that disqualifies them as walls, that is, they
fall or they sway more than three tefachim in either direction. Earlier authorities, such as R. Moshe
di Trani
(Mabit; 1505-1585; Kiryat Sefer, Hilkhot Sukka, ch. 4), agree. According to this approach, one should
be permitted to construct a sukka in
an area without wind. Indeed, the
Beer Heitev (630:10) cites those who permit building a sukka from thin sheets in a courtyard
surrounded by walls. The Chazon Ish
(Orach Chaim 52:14) is inclined to agree with this
conclusion.
Others disagree and
understand that a wall that can be swayed by the wind is simply not considered a
halakhically valid wall. Many
Rishonim (see Ritva, Sukka
24b, s.v. amar, for example) explain that even if the wind moves the
walls without causing it them to fall, they are disqualified. Some bring a proof from the following
gemara (22b):
If one erects his sukka on
the top of a wagon or on the deck of a ship, it is valid. According to whom is our mishna?
According to R. Akiva, as it has been taught: He who erects his sukka on the deck of a ship, R. Gamliel
declares it invalid and R. Akiva valid.
It happened with R. Gamliel and R. Akiva when they were journeying on a
ship that R. Akiva arose and erected a sukka on the deck of the ship. On the morrow, the wind blew and tore it
away. R. Gamliel said to him:
Akiva, where is your sukka? Abayye
said: All are in accord that where it is unable to withstand a normal land
breeze, it is nothing; if it can withstand an unusually [strong] land breeze,
all are in accord that it is valid.
Where do they dispute? Where it can withstand a normal land breeze, but
not a normal sea breeze; R. Gamliel is of the opinion that the sukka must be a permanent abode, and
since it cannot withstand a normal sea breeze, it is nothing, while R. Akiva is of the opinion that the sukka must be a temporary abode, and
since it can withstand a normal land breeze, it is valid.
According to this passage, R. Akiva erected the sukka on the ship knowing that a normal
sea breeze might topple his sukka. In other words, he did not refrain from
building the sukka on the ship lest
it fall. Apparently, whether a wall
can withstand a normal land breeze defines whether it is a valid
mechitza. Therefore, even if
one builds a sukka that can withstand
a normal land breeze in a place with a stronger breeze, which is likely to
topple the sukka, the sukka is still valid.
If the strength of the walls, and not whether practically they will or
will not sway in the wind, determines the validity of a sukka, then even if a sukka which cannot withstand a ruach
metzuya is built in an enclosed area or an area without wind, it should
still be invalid, as the mechitzot simply do not qualify as valid walls
(Magen Avraham 15).
R.
Aryeh Pomeranzyck (Emek Berakha, Sukka, 19) and R. Tzvi Pesach Frank
(Mikraei Kodesh, Sukka 1:2)
discuss this issue in depth, as does R. Moshe Feinstein (Iggerot Moshe,
Orach Chaim 5:40:2), who explains that this law is based is on the
principle of teshvhu ke-en taduru - ones sukka should be like ones house, which
does not sway in the wind.
The Shulchan Arukh 630:10 rules in accordance with the gemara
cited above:
One who makes is sukka
between the trees, so that the trees will form its walls - if [the trees] are
strong or if he tied them and strengthened them so that the wind should not
constantly move them
[this sukka] is
valid.
Therefore, one should not eat or sleep in a sukka whose walls sway. While the Chazon Ish identifies three tefachim as the amount of swaying which
invalidates a sukka, R. Ovadia Yosef
(Yechavveh Daat 3:46) insists that any swaying at all disqualifies the
sukka. R. Moshe Feinstein (Iggerot Moshe,
Orach Chaim 5:40:2) writes that slight swaying (nidnud ketzat) may
not disqualify the sukka.
In addition to fearing that the walls may sway in the wind, the Tur
(630), citing Rabbeinu Peretz, raises another concern.
It is improper to make the walls from sheets of flax... even if he
tied them securely [because] sometimes they become unfastened, without his being
aware, and the result is a wall that does not stand in the wind.
Rabbeinu Peretz rules that one should not even use walls made from
sheets if they are tied down, lest they become detached. Rabbeinu Peretz apparently did not
consider these sheets to be inherently invalid to serve as walls for the sukka; rather, he is concerned that they
may become unfastened. The Shulchan
Arukh (630:10) cites this view.
Therefore, although this restriction is not recorded in the
gemara, normative practice prohibits making the walls of the sukka from sheets, lest they become
unfastened.
Many contemporary authorities note the popularity of sukkot
constructed from canvas, and at times plastic, walls. Seemingly, according to what we learned
above, even if the walls do not sway in the wind, one should still refrain from
constructing a sukka from
sheets. R. Moshe Shternbuch, in his
Moadim U-Zemanim (1:84) explains that in his view, slight movement of
the walls does not pose a problem; therefore, if one secures the sheet tightly
all around the frame, the sukka is
valid. He still insists that one
should preferably not rely upon this, as does R. Moshe Feinstein (Orach
Chaim 5:40:2), who notes that this leniency does not appear in any of the
commentaries on the Shulchan Arukh.
Some suggest that if the canvas walls are attached tightly and fitted
with metal rings, there is no fear that they will become detached, and they may
be used (Sukka Ke-Hilkhata, ch. 4, n.
2; Cheiko Mamtakim 630:42).
Although reasonable, one might still insist that the Shulchan Arukh
intended to discourage the use of a fabric for sukka walls in all cases. R. Moshe Feinstein (ibid.) writes that
one should not misinterpret the availability of canvas sukkot as an
endorsement of their validity.
Interestingly, it is worth noting that the Arukh Ha-Shulchan (530:32)
writes that be-diaved, if one tied the canvas walls, the sukka is valid.
In recent years, the practice of using horizontal poles or tightly
strung strings and relying upon the halakha of lavud has gained great popularity. As we discussed previously, as long as
there are no uninterrupted gaps of more than three tefachim for a height of ten tefachim, the walls of the sukka are valid, even though the
majority of space is not filled with solid matter. Assuming that three tefachim is minimally 24 cm and ten tefachim is between 80 and 100 cm, one
should place a horizontal pole or string at approximately 24 cm intervals, until
three walls of 80 - 100 cm are constructed. The Shulchan Arukh even mentions this
practice, which originally appeared in the Hagahot Rabbeinu Peretz to the
Semak. He writes, One who wishes
to make [his walls with] sheets should preferably weave mechitzot of
reeds less than three tefachim
apart.
This practice is also relevant for those who construct sukkot
on their balconies, often using the picketed balcony as the walls.
Not all agree that one can construct a sukka from horizontal strings within
three tefachim of one another. The Magen Avraham (630; see also Mishna
Berura 7), based upon the view of Tosafot (Sukka 16b, s.v. be-fachot),
writes that unless one encloses the entire sukka, all four walls, with these walls,
one cannot rely upon lavud for all
three walls of ones sukka. The Eliyah Rabba (19) writes that one
should not be concerned with their view in our case, as the true halakhic wall
is the canvas wall, and the lavud
wall is added as a stringency (see also Shaar Ha-Tziyun 49).
Supporting the
Sekhakh on a Davar Ha-Mekabel Tuma
The walls of the sukka serve
two functions. First and foremost,
they are the mechitzot of the sukka. As we discussed last week, a sukka must be constructed of at least
three walls, or two walls and a small section. Second, the walls may (although not
necessarily) support the sekhakh,
which must cover the entire sukka. In this second context, the
mishna teaches:
If a man supports his sukka with the legs of a bed, it is
valid. R. Yehuda said: If it cannot
stand by itself, it is invalid.
Why does R. Yehuda prohibit placing the sukka (that is, the sekhakh) on the legs of a bed? The
gemara continues:
What is the reason of R. Yehuda? R. Zera and R. Abba b. Mamal
disagree. One says: It is because
the sukka has no permanence
(mipnei she-ein la keva), and the other says: It is because he supports
[the sekhakh] with something which is
mekabel tuma.
The Rishonim offer different explanations for both
interpretations of R. Yehuda, and, as we shall see, differ regarding the final
halakha.
Why does because the sukka
has no permanence invalidate a sukka
resting upon the legs of a bed? In what way does resting the sekhakh on the legs of a bed undermine
the permanence of a sukka? The
Rishonim offer different interpretations. Rashi (s.v. she-ein), for
example, explains that since the entire sukka rests upon the bed and is
therefore mobile, it lacks permanence. Some Rishonim (see Tosafot,
s.v. she-ein) question how his case differs from a sukka resting on a boat or a wagon
(22b), which are also mobile! The Raavad (Hasagot Ha-Raavad, 10a)
adopts an opposite interpretation: This sukka lacks permanence because if the
bed is moved, the sukka will
collapse.
Why would R. Yehuda not permit one to support the sekhakh on something that is mekabel
tuma? Rashi (s.v. she-maamida) explains:
Even though we only learned this disqualification regarding
sekhakh, since [the ma'amid] supports the sekhakh, it is as
if he used that which is mekabek tuma for sekhakh.
Rashi implies that by supporting the sekhakh with an object that is
mekbel tuma, it is as if this object was used as the sekhakh. This interpretation is difficult, not
only because he implies that this is a problem mi-deoraita, but also
because he views that which supports, or enables, as part of that which is
supported or enabled itself!
Other Rishonim (Raavad, 10a; Ritva, s.v. ve-chad; Ran,
s.v. matnitin) explain that the Rabbis prohibited placing sekhakh
upon a davar she-mekabel tuma lest one come to use this material as sekhakh. Some question what the difference is
between placing sekhakh upon the legs
of a bed and constructing a sukka on
the top of a tree, which is also invalid for sekhakh. The Raavad (Hasagot Ha-Raavad
10a) suggests that since it is uncommon to use trees, which are attached to the
ground and cannot be used as sekhakh,
when building a sukka, the Rabbis saw
no reason to prohibit maamid (supporting) on a tree. Alternatively, the Ramban
(Milchamot Hashem 10a) notes that the Rabbis prohibited supporting
sekhakh on a material that is invalid
for sekhakh; one who builds a sukka in a treetop, however, does not
place the sekhakh on the tree, but
rather rests the sukka on the
tree.
The Rishonim differ as to whether the halakha follows the
first opinion of the mishna, that of the Chakhamim, who permit
supporting a sukka on the leg of a
bed, or R. Yehuda. Furthermore,
even if the halakha follows the opinion of R. Yehuda, is that because
such a sukka lacks permanence or
because the sekhakh rests upon a
material which is mekabel tuma?
The Rambam (see Commentary to the Mishna and note his omission
of this halakha in the Mishnah Torah), Baal Ha-Maor (10a),
Raavya (631), Maharil (Responsa 83), and others rule like the
Chakhamim. Other
Rishonim rule in accordance with R. Yehuda. While the Rosh (1:1) accepts the opinion
that explains that R. Yehuda requires that the sukka have permanence," the Ramban
(Milchamot Hashem, 10a) and many other Rishonim rule that one may not
rest the sekhakh upon a davar
she-mekabel tuma.
Interestingly, the Shulchan Arukh appears to rule like the
Chakhamim, as he validates a sukka resting upon the legs of a bed
(630:3). On the other hand,
elsewhere (629:7), he explicitly expresses doubt whether one may use a ladder,
which is mekabel tuma, to support the sekhakh.
The Acharonim disagree as to how to understand this doubt of
the Shulchan Arukh. The Taz (10)
explains that a ladder is not valid for sekhakh because it is more than four tefachim wide, and the Rabbis prohibited
using boards more than four tefachim
wide (Sukka 14a). Therefore, the Shulchan Arukh feared
that one might confuse using this ladder to support sekhakh and using this actual ladder as
sekhakh. Other Acharonim, including the
Magen Avraham, Shulchan Arukh Ha-Rav, and the Chayye Adam, insist that the
Shulchan Arukh is expressing his concern that it may be prohibited to support sekhakh on a material that is mekabel
tuma.
The Arukh Ha-Shulchan (629:19) asserts that the halakha is in
accordance with the lenient opinion, and that one should follow the opinion that
is not concerned with supporting sekhakh upon a material that is
mekabel tumeah. The Mishna
Berura (630:59; see also Shaar Ha-Tziyun 60), however, writes that although the
law is really in accordance with the more lenient opinion, one should preferably
act stringently regarding this matter.
Interestingly, the Shulchan Arukh implies that all agree that one may
rest the sekhakh upon a material that
is not mekabel tuma that is supported by a material which is mekabel
tumeah, known as maamid de-maamid. The Shulchan Arukh (629:8)
permits one to attach the wooden beams of the sukka with metal nails, which are
mekabel tuma. Many
Acharonim (see Mishna Berura 629:26 and Shaar Ha-Tziyun 51) understand
that even those who are stringent regarding maamid al davar she-mekabel
tuma certainly permit one to place sekhakh on materials that are not
mekabel tumeah but are supported by material that is mekabel
tumeah. The Chazon Ish (143:2)
disagrees, and to this day his students use only wooden pegs, which are not
mekabel tumeah, in constructing the sukka.
In practice, it is customary not to be concerned with maamid
de-maamid and to construct sukkot with metal frames. However, many avoid placing sekhakh directly upon materials that are
mekabel tumeah. Rather,
they place wooden beams above the metal horizontal beams of the frame, and place
the sekhakh on the wooden beams.
Dofen Akuma - Using Part of the Roof as a Wall
We discussed above the materials and physical viability of the sukka walls, as well as their
relationship to the sekhakh. We will conclude with a brief discussion
of a sukka wall comprised of a wall
and part of the roof. The
mishna (17) teaches:
If [the roof of] a house is breached, and he placed a sukka-covering over it, if there is a
distance of four cubits from the wall to the covering, it is invalid.
The Mishna describes a case in which the middle of a roof is
breached. The person wishes to put
sekhakh over the hole, and rely upon
the walls of the house to function as the walls of the sukka. Part of the roof, however, still extends
from the walls of the house until where the sekhakh begins. The mishna teaches that if the
part of the roof is wider than four amot, the walls of the house cannot be
relied upon. However, if the part
of the remaining roof is narrower than four amot, then the sukka is valid. The gemara (4a, 17a) bases this
upon the principle of dofen akuma (literally, a bent wall). The Rishonim offer different
explanations for this principle.
Rashi (s.v. pesulah) cites two understandings. He first suggests that the wall and the
roof combine, and the end of the roof constitutes the meeting place of the wall
and the sekhakh. This is only possible, he claims, where
there is sekhakh pasul at the
edge of the roof, as sekhakh
pasul can combine and join the wall. Air, however, cannot become part of the
wall, and therefore it invalidates the sukka if there is a gap of three tefachim between the wall and the sekhakh. He then suggests, but rejects, the
possibility that we view the wall as slanting, at a diagonal angle, towards the
sekhakh. In this image, the wall is moved closer
to the sekhakh, but the sekhakh pasul remains sekhakh pasul. .
The gemara (4a) earlier in the masekhet offers a different
application of dofen akuma.
If it was higher than twenty amot... If [he built the ledge] on a
side [wall] if from the edge of the ledge to the wall [opposite] there are
four amot, it is invalid; but if the distance
was less than four cubits, it is valid.
What principle does he teach us by this ruling? That we apply the rule of
dofen akuma (the curved wall)? But have we not [already] learnt
it: A house [the middle of whose flat roof] is missing and one placed the valid
covering of a sukka upon it, if there
are four cubits from the [top of the] wall to the covering, it is invalid; which
[shows that] if the distance was less than this it is valid? One might have
thought that only there [it is valid], since [each side] is suitable [to serve]
as a wall, but here, since it is unsuitable for a wall, one might say that it is
invalid. [Therefore,] we were
taught [that even here the principle is applied].
In this case, a sukka was
built improperly over twenty amot
high. In an attempt to salvage part
of the sukka, the person builds a
platform along the corner-edge of the sukka, so that the distance between the
sekhakh and the elevated platform is
less than twenty amot. However, only two of the walls join the
platform to the sekhakh. In order to validate the sukka, he needs to somehow make use of
the opposite, third wall. The
gemara teaches that if the opposite wall is within four amot of the platform, one may apply the
principle of dofen akuma.
Rashi (s.v. pachot) explains that we view the sekhakh raised above twenty amot as a continuation of the wall, bent
at a right angle. In other words,
the roof becomes an extension of the wall, meeting the sekhakh at a distance of less than four
amot.
The Ritva (4a) brings another interpretation. He cites an opinion of Rashi, found in
other Rishonim (Ran 2a; Maggid Mishna 4:14) but not in our printed
Talmud. Rashi explains that the
opposite wall is bent, diagonally, towards the platform. In this case, the opposite wall joins
the sekhakh kasher and the
entire sukka becomes valid. He adds that according to this
interpretation, one may even sit under the sekhakh that is above twenty amot, as it is simply considered sekhakh pasul within a valid sukka! This opinion, of course, is
similar to the opinion Rashi rejected previously (4a). The Ritva then cites another
interpretation, attributed to Tosafot, which is similar to Rashi found in our
gemara.
Interestingly, the Rambam describes the principle of dofen akuma
differently when citing these different cases. Regarding the case in which the sukka was built over twenty amot height (Sukka 41), he writes (Hilkhot
Sukka 4:14):
Should one build the bench in the middle [of the sukka], if there are more than four amot from the edge of the bench to any
of the sides [of the sukka], it is
not acceptable. If there are fewer
than four amot, it is valid. It is considered as if the walls touch the bench, and the distance from the bench to the sekhakh is less than twenty amot.
Regarding the case in which the roof of the house was breached (17a),
he writes:
Where the substance that is unacceptable as sekhakh is at the side, it disqualifies
the sukka if there are four amot of it. [If there is] less than that, the sukka is valid. For example, a) [the roof of] a house
which was opened in the center and sekhakh placed over the opening; b) a
courtyard surrounded by an exedra which was covered with sekhakh; c) a large sukka over which was placed a substance
that was not acceptable as sekhakh near the sides of its walls. [In all these cases,] if there are four
amot [or more] from the edge of the
kosher sekhakh until the wall, it is
not acceptable. If there is less
than that amount, we view it as though the wall has been made crooked - i.e., the
substance that is not acceptable as sekhakh is considered part of the wall
and it is valid. This concept is a halakha received by Moshe on
In the first case, he describes the walls of the house as if they
touch the bench or platform, similar to the position of Rashi as cited by the
Ritva, or the interpretation Rashi rejected (17a). In the second case, he describes how the
sekhakh pasul becomes part of
the wall, similar to Rashi (17a) and Tosafot.
The Rambam seems to accept both understandings of dofen akuma! R.
Soloveitchik explains that in the second case, the sekhakh pasul can become part of
the wall, a principle received from Moshe at Sinai, and bend towards the
platform, making one long wall.
However, in the first case, the sekhakh pasul cannot become part
of the wall, as it is higher than twenty amot, and therefore it must remain sekhakh pasul. However, we may view the wall on a
diagonal angle, as walls are often bent slightly, and validate the sukka (Reshimot Shiurim 4a).
The Shulchan Arukh (632:1, 633:6-7) cites both cases of dofen
akuma. He rules (632:1) that
one should not sleep under the dofen akuma, if it is more than four tefachim in wide. At times, this principle may be relevant
in a semi-enclosed patio. If the
patio is surrounded, on both sides, with two walls, and an overhang, and less
than four amot hangs off the outer
wall of the house over the patio, then one can count the wall of the house as
the third wall of the sukka. In
this case, one should merely suspend the sekhakh over the patio, and the sukka is
valid, even if the fourth, outer wall is open.
Next week we will begin our discussion of the laws of sekhakh.