If the sukkah is able to stand on it's own under normal circumstances, can one tie the sukkah wall "down" to a branch for instance, in order to add extra support for heavy wind?
-
5Why would you think this might be a problem? Are strong walls not encouraged?– Double AA ♦Oct 13, 2019 at 16:25
-
@DoubleAA Not sure as presented, but they’re asking about tying to “a branch”...as in tree branches? Under trees is a potential problem here worth pointing out.– Yaacov DeaneOct 13, 2019 at 18:20
-
I've read and heard that the construction of your succah must be such that it can withstand a ruach matzui - a "normal" wind, meaning whatever wind strength is most common in your area. Thus, if you live near a windy coast and it is normal to have gale force winds, then you need to construct strong walls to withstand say 40 - 50 mph winds without attaching it to anything. To me, this general rule implies a "no" answer to your question, as this would appear that your succha is unable to withstand the "normal" wind speed. I.e., I don't think you can reinforce it in case of the unusual wind.– DanFOct 13, 2019 at 20:28
-
Another problem with attaching might be that it may make it a "permanent structure", halachically, which is not the idea of the succah.– DanFOct 13, 2019 at 20:29
-
@DanF It is one of the opinions in the Gemmorah, but we don't Pasken so. We Pasken it's OK if the walls are walls are Kevah. Like disassembling one's roof and replacing it with Schach.– Al BerkoOct 14, 2019 at 19:25
1 Answer
Rambam Hilchot Shofar and Sucah 4.5:
הָעוֹשֶׂה סֻכָּתוֹ בֵּין הָאִילָנוֹת וְהָאִילָנוֹת דְּפָנוֹת לָהּ. אִם הָיוּ חֲזָקִים אוֹ שֶׁקָּשַׁר אוֹתָם וְחִזֵּק אוֹתָם עַד שֶׁלֹּא תִּהְיֶה הָרוּחַ הַמְּצוּיָה מְנִידָה אוֹתָם תָּמִיד וּמִלֵּא בֵּין הָאֲמִירִים בְּתֶבֶן וּבְקַשׁ כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תָּנִיד אוֹתָם הָרוּחַ וְקָשַׁר אוֹתָם הֲרֵי זוֹ כְּשֵׁרָה.
one who makes a sukkah between trees and the trees are its panels: If they were [already] strong or he tied them and [thereby] strengthened them so that a common wind would not always move them; and he filled between the branches with hay and straw so that the wind not move them and he tied them down - it is fit.