The criteria for a valid wall:
A wall is only considered a valid wall if the following conditions are fulfilled:
- Stationary versus mobile:[1] Walls that are mobile and are able to move from under the Sukkah and cause the Sechach to fall to the ground, are invalid. Thus, it is invalid to make a Sukkah by resting Sechach over the back of three animals [in three different directions], such as three camels, being that the moment that the camels move the Sechach will fall to the ground. However, a mobile Sukkah [in which the entire Sukkah is able to be moved with its walls and Sechach together], such as if one built a Sukkah on a camel’s back, remains valid. [Thus, a Sukkah mobile is valid being that the entire Sukkah moves with the car and is similar to a Sukkah built on the back of a camel, as explained in Halacha 5C. Furthermore, seemingly is it permitted to place Sechach over the roofs of three cars, being that when the cars are parked, they are considered stationary, and is like any other wall that could be picked up by a human and moved.]
- Does not move with wind:[2] A wall is only defined as a wall if it is unable to move with a common wind. If a common wind can blow the wall, as is the case with sheet walls, then it is invalid. [If the wind can move it even slightly back and forth then it is invalid, even if the wind is unable to make it fall completely to the ground.[3] Some Poskim[4] interpret this to mean as follows: If the common wind can blow the sheet walls a distance of three Tefachim in a way that it invalidates the wall, then it is invalid. For example, if it can blow it three Tefachim upwards from the ground, or three Tefachim away from the Sechach, or that it creates a stomach of three Tefachim deep in a way that it does not contain ten Tefachim of wall within three Tefachim of width, then it is invalid even when the wind does not blow.]
- Is height of 10 Tefach:[5] A wall is only defined as a wall if its height reaches ten Tefach [82 cm.[6]] from the ground. If the wall’s height reaches below ten Tefach from the ground it is invalid. If the wall reaches ten Tefach from the ground but is elevated from the ground, then if it is within three Tefach from the ground and reaches to ten Tefach from the ground, it is valid.[7] Thus ideally one can have a wall which is 7.1 Tefach tall and place it 2.9 Tefach from the ground and it is valid. Once the wall contains a ten Tefach height, it is valid even if it is a great vertical distance from the Sechach, [so long as the Sechach rests within 20 Amos from the ground].[8] It is valid even if it does not rest directly under the Sechach but is within three Tefachim from it.[9] If, however, it is past three Tefachim from the Sechach, then it is invalid.
- Is within three Tefachim from ground:[10] The wall must be within three Tefachim [23.5 cm.[11]] from the ground. Even if the wall is very high, if it is not placed within three Tefach from the ground, it is invalid.
- Amud Meruba Al Haparutz-There is more wall than breaches:[12] The wall must contain more wall space than breaches, this means that the side of the Sukkah must contain more closed wall space, then empty space. See Halacha D for the full details of this matter.
- No ten Amah breach: In addition to the requirement for at least two of the walls to extend throughout the majority of the length of their side of the sukkah, it is forbidden for there to be a 10 Ama [approximately 4.7 meters] stretch of open space on that side of the sukkah. If there is, then the wall is invalid, unless one performs a Tzuras Pesach to that open space in which case it is valid according to some opinions in all cases, and according to other opinions is only valid if Amud Meruba al Haparutz [by the entirety of the Sukkah]. Thus, for example, if one has a 10 x 10 m sukkah, then it does not suffice for two of the walls to have a length of 5.1 m, which is majority of that length, and rather it must be at least 5.4 m, in order to prevent an open space of 10 Amos from being created by that wall.
- Is within three horizontal Tefachim from Sechach [see illustration]:[13] The wall must be within three [horizontal] Tefach of the Sechach for it to be validated as a wall for that Sechach.[14] [See illustration below. See Chapter 2 Halacha 3B regarding the full details of how a Sukkah and its walls can become invalid if it contains three Tefachim of empty space.] This however only applies if there is empty space between the wall and the Sechach. If, however, there is invalid Sechach in the area, then it is valid within 4 Amos, as explained next.
- Dofen Akuma-Is within 4 Amos of Kosher Sechach if there is non-Kosher Sechach in between:[15] If the wall is adjacent to invalid Sechach, then if it is within 4 Amos [188. cm[16], or 6.16 feet] of the Kosher Sechach [i.e. the non-Kosher Sechach takes up a space of less than 4 Amos], then the Sukkah remains Kosher as we apply the rule of Dofen Akuma. If the non-Kosher Sechach is more than 4 Amos wide and thus the wall is more than a four Ama distance from the Kosher Sechach, then the wall that is adjacent to the invalid Sechach is considered non-existent and can possibly invalidate the entire Sukkah if the Kosher Sechach will not remain with 3 Kosher walls. [The law of Dofen Akuma applies from all directions of the Sukkah, and hence it is possible to have less than 4 Amos of Sechach surrounding the Kosher Sechach from all 4 directions and the Sukkah still remain valid.[17] It is disputed amongst Poskim[18] whether the rule of Dofen Akum applies even if the wall of the Sukkah does not reach the invalid Sechach, and we thus must also apply the rule of Gud Asik. Practically, if the wall reaches within three Tefachim of the invalid Sechach then we apply the rule of Gud Asik and Dofen Akuma, and it remains valid.[19]]
How many walls must fulfill these conditions: At least two of the Sukkah walls must meet the above requirements while a third wall is to meet the requirements of Lavud, as explained in D. Any wall that does not meet the above requirements, are invalid.
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May a sliding or removable door count as one of the three Halachically required walls?[20] Yes, a sliding door may be used as one of the three minimum required walls of a Sukkah, however the Sukkah is only Kosher when the door is closed, or if a wall of 57.2 centimeters [or of Lavud] remains within that side of the Sukkah even when the door is open. [Thus, if the other side of the sliding door is always closed, and is also part of the Sukkah, within the space of the Sechach, then the door is valid as a wall, 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, and 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.[21] See Halacha 8!
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🙋‍♂️Ask The Rav: How Close Must the Sechach Be to the Wall?
Question:
What is the maximum distance allowed between the wall of a Sukkah and the Sechach? Can the wall be several inches away from the Sechach and still be considered a valid wall?
Answer:
Although a wall that is at least ten Tefachim high is a valid wall even if the Sechach is much higher than the wall in vertical distance, nonetheless, the wall must be within three Tefachim (23.5 cm) of horizontal distance from the Sechach. If there is a horizontal gap of three Tefachim or more consisting of empty air between the wall and the Sechach, the wall cannot be joined to the Sechach through the rule of Lavud and may not be considered a valid wall for that section of the Sukkah, and could potentially invalidate the Sukkah if it no longer contains three valid walls.
This rule applies specifically when there is empty space (avir) between the wall and the Sechach. If, however, the gap contains invalid Sechach (Sechach Pasul) rather than empty air, different rules apply and the wall may still be connected to the Sechach through the principle of Dofen Akumah for up to four Amos.
Conclusion:
A wall must reach to within three Tefachim horizontally of the Sechach in order to be connected to it through Lavud. Therefore, when building or inspecting a Sukkah, one should ensure that any gap between the wall and the Sechach is less than three Tefachim unless a different halachic mechanism, such as Dofen Akumah, applies.
Sources:
Michaber O.C. 630:9; Shulchan Aruch O.C. 632:2; Michaber O.C. 630:9 regarding the requirement that a wall be within three Tefachim of the Sechach when separated by empty air; Mishneh Sukkah 17a as explains Rashi; Rava in Sukkah 17a and 19a
[1] Admur 628:8; M”A 630:14
[2] Michaber 630:10; M”A 630:16; Elya Raba 630:16; M”B 630:48; See also: Admur 315:3; M”A 315:3; Chavos Yair 184; Beir Heiytiv 240:19; Siddur Yaavetz Mosach Hashabbos Mitos Kesef 7 Chulya 3:8; Levushei Serud 315; Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 240:11; M”B 240:25 and 30 and Biur Halacha 240:6 “Ad”; Taharas Yisrael 240:44; Kitzur SHU”A 150:6; Kaf Hachaim 240:44 and 630:65; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 240:17; Sheyikadesh Atzmo 32 footnote 11
[3] M”B 630:48
[4] Chazon Ish 77:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 630:9
[5] See Michaber 630:9; Admur 315:3; M”A 315:3; Michaber Y.D. 282:8 regarding Sefer Torah; Rama 240:11 regarding candle; Elya Raba 240:14; Olas Tamid 240:3; Kitzur SHU”A 150:6; Kaf Hachaim 240:44; Birur Halacha 240; Piskeiy Teshuvos 240:17-18; Sheyikadesh Atzmo 32:9; Piskeiy Teshuvos 630:8
The law if there is a plank of wood resting on the short wall: See Mikraeiy Kodesh Sukkah 1:7; Chazon Ish 104:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 630:8
[6] See Shiureiy Torah p. 249 that an Ama Sochekes is 49 cm., and accordingly a Tefach Sochakos is 8.17 cm [i.e. 1/48 of a cm times 8.] and by the Shiur Sukkah of 7×7 one should measure with an Ama Sochakos, and the same would apply here Lechumra. Thus, its exact Shiur is 81.7 cm; See also M”B 633:2 and Shaar Hatziyon 633:2 that by Sukkah we follow the stringent approach in the dimensions, either Dochakos or Sochakos, and by the 7×7 dimension we follow Sochakos, and the same would apply here by the ten Tefach dimension; See also Midos Vishureiy Torah pp. 48-57 regarding Ama Sochakos and Dochakos; Piskeiy Teshuvos 633:1; Minchas Chinuch Mitzvah 325 who rules that by Tefachim we don’t apply the extra Dochakos or Sochakos, and this is only done by Amos
Other opinions-Chazon Ish: According to the Chazon Ish, the measurement is 98.2 cm following the 9.82 measurement of Tefach Sochakos. [See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid]
[7] The reason: As we apply the rule of Lavud.
[8] Michaber 630:9
[9] Michaber 630:9; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 630:8
The reason: As we apply both the rule of Gud Asik and Lavud to the Sechach. [M”B 630:43] Unlike ruling of M”B 630:31 relating to Dofen Akuma, that we do not apply both Gud Asik and Lavud. See Mikraeiy Kodesh Sukkah 1:7 and Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 45
[10] 630:9
[11] See Shiureiy Torah p. 249 that an Ama Dochakos is 47 cm. [as opposed to 48 for a regular Ama], and accordingly a Tefach Dochakos is 7.83 cm [i.e. 1/48 of a cm times 8, deducted from 8 cnetimeters] and by the Shiur Sukkah of 7×7 one should measure with the stringent approach of an Ama Sochakos, and the same would apply here Lechumra to measure the three Tefachim as Dochakos. See also M”B 633:2 and Shaar Hatziyon 633:2 that by Sukkah we follow the stringent approach in the dimensions, either Dochakos or Sochakos, and by the 7×7 dimension we follow Sochakos, and the same would apply here by three Tefachim; See also Midos Vishureiy Torah pp. 48-57 regarding Ama Sochakos and Dochakos; Piskeiy Teshuvos 633:1 writes that its 23.4 according to Grach Nah, when taking into account the Dochakos according to Chazon Ish, as he explains there in footnote 2
Other opinions-Chazon Ish: According to the Chazon Ish, the measurement is 28.26 cm following the 9.42 measurement of Tefach Dochakos. [See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid]
[12] M”A 630:6; Taz 630:6; Rashi and Ritva Sukkah 7a; Maggid Mishneh Sukkah 4:12 in opinion of Rambam; Elya Raba 630:10; Mamar Mordechai 630:5; P”M 630 M”Z 6; M”B 630:22; Kaf Hachaim 630:37; Chazon Ish 75:13 Lenient opinion: Simple understanding of Rambam Sukkah 4:12; Rabbeinu Yerucham 8:1 and Rava, brought in Beis Yosef; Ran, as understood by Chazon Ish 75:3 See regarding the invalidity of a ten ama breach: Michaber 630:5; Rambam Sukkah 4:12; M”B 630:26; Kaf Hachaim 630:41
[13] Michaber 630:9
[14] 632:2; 630:9
[15] Michaber 632:1; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 632:3-4; 635:3
May two neighbors share the same Dofen Akuma? Yes. See Piskeiy Teshuvos 632:2
What is the law if there is a space of no Sechach directly adjacent to the invalid Sechach? If it is less than 3 Tefachim, the Sukkah remains Kosher. [Shut Rav Akiva Eigar 12] This applies even if in total the wall is more than 4 Amos distanced from the Kosher Sechach. [Bikureiy Yaakov 632:10; Piskeiy Teshuvos 632:3]
What is the law if the invalid Sechach is hovering above the Sukkah [i.e. a porch is hovering above the house wall of the Sukkah and is less than 4 Amos wide]? If there is valid Sechach in that area of the Sukkah, we apply the rule of Dofen Akuma, and certainly if there is invalid Sechach there, then it applies. If, however, there is nothing there, then it is disputed amongst Poskim if in such a case we apply the rule of Chavut Rami together with Dofen Akuma. [See Ashel Avraham Butcahch 632; Eretz Tzevi 48; Sdei Chemed 2:16; Piskeiy Teshuvos 632:23]
How to build the Sukkah when relying on Dofen Akuma for a wall: In such a case one is to first build the invalid Sechach near the wall, and only then build the valid Sechach. [Piskeiy Teshuvos 635:3]
[16] See Shiureiy Torah p. 249 that an Ama is 47 Dochakos [as opposed to 48 for a regular Tefach], by the Shiur Sukkah of 7×7 one should measure with the stringent approach of an Ama Sochakos, and the same would apply here Lechumra to measure the four Amos as Dochakos. See also M”B 633:2 and Shaar Hatziyon 633:2 that by Sukkah we follow the stringent approach in the dimensions, either Dochakos or Sochakos, and by the 7×7 dimension we follow Sochakos, and the same would apply here by the 20 Amos dimension; See also Midos Vishureiy Torah pp. 48-57 regarding Ama Sochakos and Dochakos; Piskeiy Teshuvos 633:1 writes that its 187.2 according to Grach Nah, when taking into account the Dochakos according to Chazon Ish, as he explains there in footnote 2
Other opinions-Chazon Ish: According to the Chazon Ish, the measurement is 226 cm following the 9.42 measurement of Tefach Dochakos. [See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid]
[17] Michaber 632:2; Sukkah 4a
[18] See M”B 632:4 for a dispute on this matter; See Sukkah 4a which implies that we apply the rule of Dofen Akuma even when the wall does not reach the Sechach as the Talmud states that one can validate 20 cubic high Sukkah by making a ledge by the side which is within 4 cubits of the wall, and this ledge obviously does not reach the Sechach. Vetzaruch Iyun
[19] M”B ibid; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 632:3
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that it is invalid even if it reaches within three Tefachim of the invalid Sechach. [Shut Rav Akiva Eigar 12, brought in Chazon Ish 77:7]
[20] 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
[21] See Poskim ibid and Piskeiy Teshuvos 630:3