As the Yom Tov of Sukkos approaches, we begin turning our attention to preparing our sukkos. There are many halachos that determine whether a sukkah is fully valid or only minimally acceptable. The following are six considerations to bear in mind when building a sukkah.
USING A SHLAK OR RAIN COVER One who places a shlak or other covering over the sukkah to protect it from rain must ensure that the covering is not in place when the schach is put on. If one forgot and placed the schach while the cover was still spread, the schach should be lifted and replaced after the covering has been removed. (תרכ”ו, ג)
SUPPORTING THE SCHACH If one’s sukkah is constructed with a metal frame, the schach should not be placed directly upon the frame itself. Instead, wooden beams should be laid across the length of the sukkah, and the schach should then be placed atop these beams along the width. Where necessary, one may first position the wood upon the metal frame and then rest the schach upon the wood. (תרכ”ט, תר״ל)
SECURING THE SCHACH One should not place metal objects on top of the schach to prevent it from being blown away in an ordinary wind. Similarly, the schach should not be tied down with plastic cable ties or other fasteners that may not be used as schach. If the schach is sufficiently sturdy to withstand a normal wind, this is acceptable. Nonetheless, it is preferable to place additional wooden beams, such as 2x4s, across the schach in order to secure it in a halachically proper manner.
SUFFICIENT SCHACH COVERAGE The Schach must provide more shade than sunlight. If part of the sukkah is covered with thinner schach that does not provide majority shade, while the rest of the sukkah is covered adequately, the Mechaber rules that one may sit even under the thinner area. The Rema, however, writes that each area of seven by seven tefachim (seven tefachim is approx. 21–24 inches) is evaluated independently. (תרל״א, א)
OVERHANGS Care must be taken that no part of the sukkah is covered by an overhang, such as a roof extension or porch covering. If the overhang extends more than three tefachim (approx. 9–12 inches) into the sukkah, one should not sit beneath it. Indeed, even having the majority of one’s table situated under such an overhang should be avoided. (תרל״ב, א)
CHILDREN PLACING THE SCHACH There is discussion whether a child under bar mitzvah may put on the schach. Some authorities maintain that the placement should be performed by an adult to ensure validity, while others are lenient. Rav Shlomo Miller שליט״א has stated that the common minhag is to allow this. (ישראל )שושנ ת
CONCLUSION These are a few halachos that pertain to how a sukkah is built. In the merit of fulfilling the mitzvah of sukkah properly, may we be zocheh to sit in the sukkah of the livyason.
By: Rabbi Yosef Dovid Rothbart