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Is there anything problematic about eating in a sukkah after building it but before Sukkot starts? Or I guess likewise after Sukkot is over?

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If it's the day immediately after Sukkos (Shemini Atzeres in Israel, Simchas Torah outside it), then there is indeed a problem with eating in the sukkah, in that it resembles "adding to the mitzvah" (although technically it isn't, because there is no intention to perform the mitzvah). The recommended approach in that case is to disqualify it by removing some of the sechach, or (if that's not possible) to bring in utensils that don't normally belong in a sukkah, such as pots, thus demonstrating that you're treating it as a plain old hut.

This isn't necessary anytime after that, though, because it's obvious that it's not meant as an extension of the mitzvah.

(Aruch Hashulchan, Orach Chaim 666:2,4)

So far, this is talking about eating in the sukkah after Sukkos. I haven't found anything so far about the days before the holiday, but perhaps in that case none of this would be necessary, since it would be obvious that no one starts the Yom Tov that early.

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  • And, although I can't find a source right now, it is forbidden to sit in a sukkah anytime during the year, if one is intending to fulfil the commandment of sitting in a sukkah.
    – Menachem
    Oct 11, 2012 at 18:05
  • Perhaps sitting after plag on erev sukkot without accepting the chag would be problematic?
    – Double AA
    Oct 23, 2012 at 17:13
  • @Menachem : Why would anyone intend to fulfil the commandment of siting in a Sukkah at other times during the year?
    – user12315
    Oct 13, 2016 at 13:16
  • @oldwol: why would someone want to wear refillin with 5 compartments or parshiot instead if 4?
    – Menachem
    Oct 13, 2016 at 15:42
  • @Oldwolfgilwell: maybe he feels that he needs to commemorate G-d protecting the Jews in the desert when they went into the Desert (i.e. Pesach time)
    – Menachem
    Oct 14, 2016 at 4:13

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