Illustration Credit: Rebecca Kerzner

The Torah tells us to “live in sukkot for seven days” (Vayikra 23:42). What does this involve, exactly? The Gemara says:

The Shulhan Arukh explains that this means we’re supposed to eat, drink, sleep, and generally hang out in the sukkah for all seven days of the holiday, both day and night, just like we live in our houses during the rest of the year (Orah Hayyim 639:1).

But your house is comfortable. This means that you don’t have to sleep in your sukkah if it’s too cold, or if it’s hard for you to sleep there (Rema 639:2; MB 649:29).

Imagine if what you’re experiencing in the sukkah were inside your regular home. If it were that way in your home, would you leave and go somewhere else, or would you stay and tough it out? Whatever your answer is, that’s what we do in the sukkah.

So if it’s raining hard, we leave the sukkah. But if it’s just a little drip here and there, would you really leave your house for that, or would you just put a pot under the drip? If it’s not so bad, then it’s probably a good idea to stay in your sukkah! (OH 639:5)

It’s considered ok to have a snack, like fruit, vegetables, or cheese, outside the sukkah. But some people don’t even drink water outside the sukkah (639:2; MB 15).

One of the best ways to transform your sukkah into your home for the week: study Torah in it! (OH 639:4)

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