by Nir Grosman | Dec 29, 2014
There are some questions for which the answer is simple, and there are questions whose answer we think is simple. Everyone knows that the obligation to reside in the sukkah on the festival of Sukkot originates from the pasuk, “…in order that your [future] generations...
by Rabbi Moshe Aberman | Dec 24, 2014
Rav Moshe Aberman Former Rosh Kollel in Chicago Though a Succah needs only proper walls and a schach roof to enable one to fulfil the mitzvah of Succah, when possible the Succah should be decorated as well. (Mishna Berurah OC 638 section ll in the name of Elya...
by Yehoshua Stokar | Dec 24, 2014
The first mishna in the third chapter of masechet Sucka teaches us that a stolen Lulav is invalid for the mitzvah of “Arba Minim” (Four Species). The same halacha applies to the rest of the minim. The gemara explains that this halacha is learned from the verse in...
by Rabbi Baruch Plaskow | Dec 24, 2014
The Source The Torah says quite clearly that: “You shall sit in Succot for 7 days”. This means that one should consider the Succah to be his home and should treat it as such. Thus eating, drinking and sleeping should be in the Succah. The Poskim It is very interesting...
by Rabbi Avi Kannai | Oct 18, 2008
Rabbi Avi Kannai Former Rosh Kollel in Memphis While we have the mitzvah of “simcha” – rejoicing, in all Three Regalim, the simcha of Sukkot is emphasized in the Torah more than that of the other festivals. Regarding Sukkot, the Torah says...
by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Oct 11, 2008
1 – Guidelines to Kosher “S’chach” 2 – More Sun than Shade 3 – Some Laws concerning S’chach 4 – The Structure of a Kosher Succah 1 – Guidelines to Kosher “S’chach” In order for the S’chach...
by Rabbi Yisrael Shachor | Oct 11, 2008
Rabbi Yisrael Shachor Former Rosh Kollel in Chicago The phrase “succat shlomecha” (literally, “the shelter of Your peace”) is particularly significant in light of recent events. Shalom (peace) and shleimut (perfection or completeness) are one and the same, and Succot...
by Carmi Ronen | Sep 29, 2007
Carmi Ronen Former Shaliach in Dayton (2004-2006) Towards the end of Yom Kippur, we recite Maftir Yonah and learn that Yonah prepares for Succot forty days in advance. Yonah declares: “In another forty days Nineveh shall be overturned.” (Yonah 3:4) To his...
by Elad Korsia | Sep 29, 2007
Elad Corsia Former Shaliach in Montreal (2003-2004) In Parashat Emor (Vayikra 23), the Torah describes in considerable detail five festivals. After first mentioning Shabbat, which is also considered a “moed” (festival), the Torah begins surveying...
by Rabbi Moshe Ehrenreich | Oct 6, 2006
Rabbi Moshe Ehrenreich Av Beit Din in Eretz Hemdah-Gazit The mishna (Sukkah 51a) states, “Mi sheloh ra’ah Simchat Beit Hashoevah loh ra’ah simcha miyamav” (he who did not see the rejoicing at the place of the water-drawing has never seen rejoicing in his life)....
