The first night of Succot

Hi,

On the first night of Succot, one is supposed to make a special effort to sit in the Succah. Just as there is a special Mitzvah to eat Matzah on the first night of Pesach, so there is a special Mitzvah to live in the Succah on the first night of Succot.

If it is raining, one is not truly "living in the Succah," since one is supposed to live in the Succah as one would in one's home. Therefore, we do not sit in the Succah in the rain.

If it rains at the start of the first night, but it may stop in the next hour or two, one should wait for the rain to stop. If it does not stop, one should make Kiddush in the Succah in the rain and eat an olive-sized amount of bread for 'HaMotzi,' all while planning to finish the meal in the house. One should then finish the meal in the house.

One who ends up making Kiddush and having bread in the rain in the Succah does not recite the blessing of "Leisheiv baSuccah," the blessing on dwelling in the Succah, since one is not truly dwelling in the Succah. One does recite the "Shehechiyanu" blessing (for the first night of Succot), though.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 639:5; Mishneh Berurah 639:35)

Have a great Yom Tov,
Mordechai