Sunday, September 19, 2010

Canvas Succah

Hi,

The walls of the succah should not be so light and loose that they would sway in a normal wind - even if the succah stands in a space where there is no wind. No standard is presented in the Shulchan Aruch to define the limits of permissible 'swaying'.

One solution for swaying is to create a frame of posts or poles, spaced at intervals of 10 inches or less, so that they constitute a halachic wall in themselves. Even should the light material sway, the posts/poles would not sway.

Note that the walls must be properly secured/reinforced before the schach is added on top, since the walls of the succah must be constructed before the schach is placed on top.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 630:10; Magen Avraham 630:16; Mishneh Berurah 630:48; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 630:32)

Have a great Yom Tov,
Mordechai

2 comments:

  1. Shalom,
    Some canvas Sukkah in US come with three ropes that have to be attached over the perimeter of the Sukkah. This supposedly resolves the issue of wall swaying. Would you happen to know the basis for this?
    Chag Sameach

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  2. Hi Lazar,

    I'm not familiar with the system you describe, but if it keeps the walls from swaying then it should be fine.

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