Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 6 down vote favorite

I've seen some sukkahs (especially ones where they've had big "make sukkah decorations" kids' projects) where there are tons and tons and tons of decorations hanging down from the schach. At what point would that invalidate the sukkah? Are there other decoration issues that are problematic?

share|improve this question
@msh210: copied the note from there. the Nitei Gavriel discusses this in Chapter 21 of his laws of the Holiday of Sukkot, here: hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=46442&pgnum=145 – Menachem Oct 11 '11 at 15:37

1 Answer

up vote 4 down vote

As long as they are within 4 tefachim of the sechach, they are batel to the sechach- even a lot of decorations. (S.A. O.C. 627:4)

share|improve this answer
What if it's like a fancy hanging beaded chain that is hung vertically from the schach? (Okay probably less than a foot long, but what if ...)? Does the same apply if I'm hanging lights from my schach? – Shalom Aug 30 '10 at 14:54
Regarding this halacha, the Aruch Hashulchan refers to Siman 632 which talks about 4 tefachim of sechach pasul being batel. I guess it's the same halacha vertically and more than 4 tefachim would not be batel. However, you still get another 4 tefachim horizontally before you can't sit under it (it's still batel horizontally). – YDK Aug 30 '10 at 15:38
1  
So if I put a blanket directly underneath my schach (assume the rain could get through it) -- or a bugnet -- is that still kosher? – Shalom Aug 30 '10 at 16:13
It looks from YDK's SA source that a decorative blanket would be fine, but a non-decorative bugnet may indeed be a problem. From one read through the SA, Rama, and Mishna Berura there, it seems to me that the answer to your original question is dependent on at least the size and purpose of the decorations. If I have time later, I'll translate some of that material here. Also, I haven't yet looked at SA OC 632, which the MB calls out here and which looks directly relevant. hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14166&st=&pgnum=175 – Isaac Moses Aug 30 '10 at 16:46

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.