Seven Key Checks for a Kosher Sukkah Before Sukkot Holiday
As the Sukkot holiday approaches, many Israelis are busy constructing their sukkahs, the temporary dwellings central to the festival. Before decorating and gathering for meals, it is essential to ensure the sukkah meets basic Jewish law requirements for its construction. These include verifying the integrity of the walls and the proper composition of the roof covering, known as the sechach.
Central to a kosher sukkah are its walls. It requires at least three complete walls, with two primary walls measuring at least seven "tefachim" (handbreadths) in length and ten "tefachim" in height, joined perpendicularly. The third wall needs to be at least one "tefach" wide and positioned less than three "tefachim" from the other wall.
The height of the walls must be a minimum of ten "tefachim," approximately 80 centimeters according to Rabbi Chaim No'eh, or about 96 centimeters according to the Chazon Ish. The sukkah's floor space must also be at least seven by seven "tefachim," roughly 56 by 56 centimeters (Rabbi No'eh) or 70 by 70 centimeters (Chazon Ish), to accommodate a person sitting.
The sechach, or roof covering, must be made from materials that grow from the ground, are detached from their source, and do not contract ritual impurity. It is crucial to use appropriate materials that qualify as sechach and will not invalidate the sukkah. Furthermore, the sukkah must be predominantly shaded by the sechach, meaning the shade should be greater than the area exposed to sunlight. If sunlight penetration is more significant than the shade, the sukkah is not kosher.
Additionally, the sukkah must be open to the sky, not situated under a permanent roof, balcony, or other structure. Even a sukkah built under tree branches may be problematic depending on the tree's density and the ratio of branches to kosher sechach. Ideally, the sechach should not be completely opaque, allowing for the visibility of stars, though this is not a strict disqualification if other requirements are met and the sechach does not resemble a solid roof.
