From the Rav’s Desk: ) Using sliding door as wall of Sukkah 2) Replacing Sechach blown by wind

1. Question: [Monday, 14^th Tishreiy 5781]

May a sliding door count as one of the three Halachically required walls of the Sukkah?

Answer:

Yes, a sliding door may be used as one of the three minimum required walls of a Sukkah so long as the other side of the sliding door which is always closed, is also part of the Sukkah, within the space of the Sechach, as one only requires 57 centimeters for a valid wall. If the other side of the sliding door is not part of the Sukkah, then the Sukkah is only Kosher when the door is closed. If the entire third wall is made up of the door, then when the door is opened, the Sukkah is considered to have lost its wall and is considered invalid. Furthermore, at the initial time that the Sechach is erected, the doors must be closed. However, once erected properly, it is permitted later on to open and close this door, even though it nullifies the Sukkah at the time of its opening. One must note that on Shabbos and Yom Tov it would remain forbidden to open and close this door, being it is invalidated when opened, and then re-validated when closed.

Sources: See Mikraeiy Kodesh Sukkos 1:110-11; Shevet Halevi 7:56 and 8:146; Shraga Hameir 7:137; Orchos Rabbeinu 2:219; SSH”K 25 footnote 115; Piskeiy Teshuvos 630:3; 635:2; See however Kinyan Torah 3:93 who argues that the Sukkah remains Kosher even when the doors are opened; Koveitz Mibeis Levi 2:23; 3:109 and 162

2. Question: [Monday, 14^th Tishreiy 5781]

If the wind blows off some or all of my Sechach on Yom Tov, may I replace it?

Answer:

No. It is forbidden for a Jew to replace the Sechach on Shabbos or Yom Tov.  This applies even if only part of the Sechach blew off or folded over, and certainly if it all fell off, nevertheless one may not spread it back onto the Sukkah [even with a Shinuiy]. However, [if there is no other Sukkah available then] one may ask a gentile to replace the Sechach for him even if the entire Sukkah fell.

Explanation: It is forbidden to replace the Sechach due to the Ohel and Muktzah prohibition. Now, although it is permitted to add to an already established Ohel of a Tefach, this only applies by a temporary addition, however the addition of Sechach during Sukkos for the sake of a Mitzvah is considered permanent.

Sources: See P”M 630 A”A 19; Shut Magidos of P”M 109; M”B 637:1 in name of Pischeiy Olam 637:2 in name of Shoel Umeishiv Reviah 3:25; Birkeiy Yosef 626:11; Lev Chaim 2:109; Pischeiy Olam ibid in name of Beir Yitzchak 13; Bikureiy Yaakov 626:11; Ateres Chachamim 6; See Admur 315:1; Michaber 315:1; Shabbos 125b; Kaf Hachaim 637:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 626:10; Nitei Gavriel 62:16; 18:7-8