וChelek 6
- Women are not obligated in this mitzva. However, if they wish, they may sit in the sukka and say Layshayv. A man should not say Layshayv for a woman unless he needs to say it for himself as well. (ShA – MB )
- A father should train his son to live in the sukka from age 5. If there is no father, the boy might still need his mother – so postpone his chinuch obligation until age 6. (ShA – MB , )
- It is forbidden for an adult to command a boy of chinuch age to eat outside the sukka. A father’s obligation goes further – he must prevent his son from eating outside the sukka. (MB – ShaH 8)
- A person who is ill (even a headache) and finds relief indoors is exempt from sukka. If he needs an attendant, the attendant is likewise exempt from sukka. If the patient’s life is in danger, the attendant is exempt just so he can be on call. (ShA – MB , )
- If you are afraid that sitting in the sukka will cause you harm, you are exempt. (MB )
- Mitztaer pottur min hasukka. Therefore, if you cannot sleep because of the wind, insects, or bad smells outside you are exempt. If these disturbances affect your meal, you may eat inside as well. (ShA – MB )
- Cold can also be an exemption. Shlepping suitable bedding in and out each night is not required. If there is room in the sukka to leave warm bedding you aren’t exempt. (BeH “mipnay haruach”)
- You should be bundled up and comfortable when saying the Layshayv. If you are uncomfortable, it may be a beracha l’vatalla. (ibid)
- If you build your sukka in a place that disturbs your sleep (when you have a choice to build it elsewhere) the Rama writes that you cannot fulfill the mitzvah of Suka even for eating. Examples of this are windy or smelly places or areas that are prone to violent criminals. Be very wary of this as many achronim quote the Rama. (Rama –MB , – ShaH 25)
- The wind blew out your candles in the sukka on Friday night – what should you do? You are allowed to leave and eat in a place that has light. If it is not too much trouble you are obligated to eat the meal in your neighbor’s sukka. Even if it is not too much trouble but you are uncomfortable in someone else’s sukka, you are exempt. However, such a mitztaer (that is subjective) can be overcome if you psych yourself into going to your neighbor’s sukka with simcha. Then you will be obligated and therefore say a Layshayv. (Rama – MB , – ShaH 27)
- If the lights blow out on the first night of Sukos,before eating a kzayis of bread, you are obligated to make the effort of eating in your friend’s sukka. Do not say a Layshayv if you are uncomfortable there. (MB )
- If the wind is blowing the candles, try to block it by hanging a vertical sheet. If this does not help, you can hang a sheet horizontally beneath the schach within four tefachim. Otherwise there will be no light and you will need to exit the sukka – so rely upon the opinion (Siman 629:19) that it will not disqualify the sukka, just don’t say a Layshayv. On Shabbos and Yom Tov be sure to hang the sheet within three tefachim of the schach, otherwise there is concern of making a tent. (Rama – MB )
- Feeling cramped (i.e. not enough room to spread and sleep) does not qualify as mitztaer unless you are a spoiled person.(MB )
- An ovel is obligated to dwell in the sukka. Even though he is upset, it isn’t the sukka that is bothering him. (ShA – MB )
- What type of mitzva meals are obligated to be eaten in the sukka?
- An engagement, pidyon haben, bar mitzva, a sium, and the like are obligated in sukka.
- A seudas bris should be in the sukka unless it’s Shemini Atzerres.
- A sheva brachos is d’oraisa and can be held in an expansive place so the chasan can enjoy all of the guests. (ShA – MB – ShaH 50 – BeH “v’seudas”)
- Shluchay mitzva are exempt from sukka. Examples of this include traveling to greet your rebbe, to learn Torah, or to redeem captives. Even if you travel only by day you are exempt at night as well.This is due to the fact that your mind is busy with thinking about the upcoming mitzvah – we therefore apply the principle “oisek b’mitzva pottur min hamitzva”. If there is a sukka ready in front of you, you need to use it to eat and sleep unless it will hinder you in any way to perform the mitzva in the morning. (ShA – MB , , )
- Holchay drachim do not need to wait to eat in a sukka if meal time arrives while they are traveling. An example is you need to go take care of some business or to collect a debt. If there is a sukka ready in front of you at meal time, you must use it. At night you must attempt to find a sukka in your surroundings. However, if you are unsuccessful you are allowed to lodge overnight without a sukka. If you return home so you can be in a sukka, you will receive a blessing. (Rama – MB , )
- If you plan on staying out of town for three or four days, you must build a sukka where you stay. (MB )
- If you go to sit in your shop during Sukos, you must eat in a sukka – even though all year around you eat in your shop. (MB )
- Say you work at a winery as a mashgiach. You would be exempt from sukka unless all of the wine is in one place and can be observed from the sukka that no gentile touches it. (Rama – MB )