Sometimes during Sukkot, you might have to travel far from your home. Perhaps you have business in another city or need to visit a sick family member. What problem would you have with your sukkah if you had to travel overnight or for several days?
Read the mishnah below.
(ג) הָעוֹשֶׂה סֻכָּתוֹ בְּרֹאשׁ הָעֲגָלָה אוֹ בְּרֹאשׁ הַסְּפִינָה, כְּשֵׁרָה... בְּרֹאשׁ הָאִילָן אוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי גָמָל, כְּשֵׁרָה... שְׁתַּיִם בָּאִילָן וְאַחַת בִּידֵי אָדָם, אוֹ שְׁתַּיִם בִּידֵי אָדָם וְאַחַת בָּאִילָן, כְּשֵׁרָה... שָׁלשׁ בִּידֵי אָדָם וְאַחַת בָּאִילָן, כְּשֵׁרָה... זֶה הַכְּלָל, כֹּל שֶׁנִּטַּל הָאִילָן וִיכוֹלָה לַעֲמוֹד בִּפְנֵי עַצְמָהּ, כְּשֵׁרָה...
(3) One who establishes his sukka at the top of the wagon or at the top of the ship, it is fit... In the case of one who establishes his sukka at the top of a tree or atop a camel, the sukka is fit.... If two of the walls of the sukka are in the tree and one is established on the ground by a person, or if two are established on the ground by a person and one is in the tree, the sukka is fit... However, if three of the walls are established on the ground by a person and one is in the tree, it is fit...The mishna summarizes that this is the principle: Any case where, were the tree removed, the sukka would be able to remain standing in and of itself, it is fit...
Understanding the mishnah:
- What four unusual places are mentioned for building a sukkah?
- Are sukkot built in these places kosher (suitable/fit for use)?
- Draw at least two of the sukkot described in the mishnah. You can even draw all four!
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Why might a person think that you can’t build a sukkah on a wagon, ship, camel or tree?
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Why do you think that the rabbis allow a person to build a sukkah in these unusual places?
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