The World's Fastest Succah. Safari & FAQ

pictures from http://www.sukkahmart.com/images/safarisukkah_anim.gif - is this the world's fastest Succah?

Here are some thoughts about the Mitzva of the Succah on Succot. For a review of the basic laws of the Succah, please skip to the conclusion below.

The Torah says, "You shall dwell in 'Succot' for 7 days, every person in Israel shall dwell in 'Succot'. In order that your generations shall know that I (G'd) housed the Children of Israel in 'Succot' when I took them out of the land of Egypt" (Vayikra 23:42-43).

I put the word 'Succot' in inverted commas deliberately. This is because the meaning of this word is crucial in appreciating the wonderful Mitzva of the Succah. The Talmud (Succot 11a) quotes a fascinating dispute between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer. The former held that the Jewish people 'B&Qed it' by building real Succot (Succahs!) in the desert whilst the later held that the pasuk (verse) quoted above refers to the clouds of glory with which G-d protected the Jewish people in the midbar (desert) and not physical buildings.

What should we, about to perform the mitzva of the Succah, glean from this discussion?

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein ( a Litvak - yes!), in his wondeful work Aruch Hashulchan steers a course for us which also helps us to understand the verses quoted above.

Rabbi Epstein writes that performing the mitzva of the Succah helps us to remember the great miracles that G-d performed for us when we left the land of Egypt, in particular how such a large group of people enjoyed comfortable, miraculous living conditions in the barren desert for forty years. Part of this was through the clouds of glory.

Whilst the people were in the desert, they lived in something approximating a Succah. Despite the apparent fragility of such a residence, the people still enjoyed the blessings which G'd bestowed upon them in the desert.

Rabbi Epstein's answer helps us to understand this dispute and should give us plenty to think about as we prepare for the Mitzva of the Succah. It should also make us grateful for the wonderful buildings that we live in and grateful to G'd for such comfort, never taking it for granted.

Conclusion - Succah FAQ

How should I build a Succah?

The Succah needs to have at least 2 and a bit walls (better to have at least 3 full walls). The walls can be made of anything. The most important part of the Succah is the schach, the roof.

Schach is a special word specifically refering to what can be the roof of the Succah. Schach consists of items which grew from the ground, including trees, have now been detached from the ground and are not mekabel tuma (dont worry if you dont recognise this last phrase. For our purposes in building a Succah, it is unlikely to be relevant). These items, which, for example, could be leaves or bamboo specially tied for the purpose, comprise the roof of the Succah. The Schach must be open to the sky and provide more shade than sun.

What do I do in the Succah?

The Talmud says that you should dwell in the Succah as you do at home. This means you should eat a meal in there and if you are eating any bread or grain in the meal, you can say the special beracha (blessing) for the Succah (Artscroll Siddur page 492, Green Siddur page 730). Try and do as many other activities as you can in the Succah. If your extension cable stretches, watch TV in there.

The one time when you must eat in the Succah if at all possible is on the first night of Succot. Look out for the special Kiddush (Artscroll Siddur page 722, Green Siddur page 660). Even if you just make Kiddush and Hamotzi in the Succah and have a couple of good slices of challa, that is enough minimally to fulfil the mitzva.

If you do not have a Succah at home, come to the Shul for both evenings of Succot. We will make Kiddush and Hamotzi in the Shul Succah for a few minutes. Rabbi Shlomo will tell stories and if you are really lucky, Cecil will give you Succot sour sticks!

In warmer climes than England, many people sleep in the Succah. There are some hardy people who even sleep in the Succah in England and other colder northern countries.

If you are uncomfortable, you are exempt from the Succah. This would apply when it rains or if it is too cold or dangerous for you to sleep in the Succah, for example

Where can I put the Sukkah?

The schach must be open to the sky so make sure that your Succah is not under a tree, a balcony or anything similar. Otherwise, just make sure that you put it somewhere that will not disturb your neighbours.

Can I decorate the Succah?

Yes! Great idea. Thanks to Dani L for providing this Succah decoration which I think is great but my wife quite rightly is stopping me from hanging up! You can hang pictures on the walls, which can be fun for kids. Do not hang anything from the schach. If you have fruit for this purpose, make a fruit salad instead and get your 5-a-day.

Where can I buy a Succah?

If you like a wooden Succah, go to your local timber yard, hardware store etc. If you want an easier and hopefully quicker option, check out Sukkah Mart in Golders Green.

If you have any questions about the Succah, or Succot in general, please email me.

Chag Sameach!