If one did not take down the Sukkah from the previous year, and it is not used as a dwelling area, does it require an action of renewal to be performed to its Sechach?
Some Poskim[1] rule the Sukkah is only valid without renewal if it was made for the sake of the Mitzvah after the passing of the previous Sukkos. If, however, it was made before the previous Sukkos, then an act of renewal is required prior to the coming Sukkos, as explained above regarding a Sukkah made for shade prior to 30 days.[2] Other Poskim[3], however, rule the Sukkah remains valid and does not require any modification.[4] It is implied from Admur like this latter opinion.[5]
[1] Chayeh Adam 146:39; M”B 636:7 [however, see M”B 638:9]; Kaf Hachaim 636:5; base on M”A 638:2 and Admur 638:16; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 636 footnote 4
[2] The reason: As once the Holiday of Sukkos of the previous year was complete, its Kedusha has left [M”A and Admur ibid] and hence requires its Sechach to be renewed. [Poskim ibid] Thus the meaning of the above wording in Michaber “If the Sukkah was made even in the beginning of the year for the Chag, it is Kosher without modification” means that it was made after Sukkos. [Shaar Hatziyon 636:9]
[3] P”M 662 M”Z 1; Sefer Hachaim [Kluger] 636; Pischa Zuta; Aruch Hashulchan 636:1 in negation of Chayeh Adam ibid; Mishneh Sachir 2:174; Opinion in M”B 638:9
[4] The reason: As the Sukkah was originally made for the Mitzvah and hence there is no reason why it should require renewal. A proof for this can be brought from the M”A and Admur ibid which only states that the Kedusha leaves the Sukkah after the passing of Sukkos, and hence requires one to live in it on Sukkos to regain its Kedusha, but do not write an even greater novelty that it requires a modification. [Sefer Hachaim ibid]
[5] Aside for the implication from Admur 638:16, as brought in Sefer Hachaim, so is also implied from Admur here [636:1] which writes “If it was made for the sake of Chag, even from the beginning of the year it is valid without modification” This is in contrast to the wording of the Michaber which states “If it was made for the sake of the Chag…” which could imply the upcoming Chag. This simple change of wording of Admur [omitting the letter Hei] implies that anytime the Sukkah was made for the sake of Chag, even of years prior [and not specifically the upcoming Chag] it is valid without modification.