Maakeh for a roof that is used occasionally

Hi,

Any flat roof requires a maakeh (a three-foot wall to keep  people from falling off), even if people only walk on the roof occasionally.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:35)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Endangering one's self

Hi,

We have been learning about the mitzvah of Maakeh.

In truth, one who fails to fulfill Maakeh is endangering himself most of all, and might think that this would be up to his own discretion. Nonetheless, one is not permitted to endanger himself, and Jewish courts are empowered to compel him to fulfill this mitzvah.

(Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 427:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tenant Maakeh

Hi,

A renting tenant is obligated to set up a Maakeh.

(Pitchei Teshuvah Choshen Mishpat 427:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Modern Maakeh

Hi,

It appears that the reason many of us do not have a Maakeh on our rooves is that our rooves are not flat, and are not meant for people to walk on them. Were our rooves to be flat or otherwise amenable to traversal, we would require a Maakeh.

Decks and balconies do require a Maakeh.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Protecting visitors

Hi,

The requirement of placing a Maakeh around one's roof extends to remediating any dangerous situation in one's home; one is biblically responsible to shield people from any such situation.

(Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 427:7-8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Maakeh design

Hi,

A Maakeh must be at least ten tefachim (36 inches, per Rav Moshe Feinstein) high, and strong enough that people can lean on it without it collapsing.

(Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 427:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The maakeh obligation for a jointly owned building

Hi,

We have been learning about Maakeh.

Partners who own a building in tandem are each obligated to make sure a maakeh is built.

(Code of Jewish Law Choshen Mishpat 427:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Which types of buildings require a maakeh?

Hi,

We have begun to learn about Maakeh.

Dwellings automatically require a Maakeh for any drop-off, even if no real danger is posed. Storage areas, synagogues and schools require the general elimination of practical dangers.

(Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 427:1,3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Maakeh: Protecting society

Hi,

Today we begin a new topic: Maakeh.

"Maakeh" is a Hebrew word which refers to a protective barrier, meant to keep people from falling off a roof or similar drop.

The Torah says, "When you build a new house, you shall make a Maakeh for your roof, and you shall not place blood upon your house when one a victim falls from it."

(Devarim 22:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai