Question:
I am building a large Sukkah and would like to leave large openings in the walls for air flow and convenience. Does a Sukkah wall have to be completely closed? May I make a very large doorway? Is there a requirement that the walls contain more wall than open space?
Answer:
The preferred custom is to construct complete walls without significant breaches. Indeed, the Rama writes that one should make complete walls, and if one is unable to construct four complete walls, then it is better to make three complete walls and leave the fourth side open than to make four walls that contain questionable breaches. Nevertheless, when three complete walls are made and the fourth side is open, the custom is to make a Tzuras Hapesach on the fourth side.
From the letter of the law, however, a Sukkah does not need all of its walls to be completely closed. One may have doorways and openings in the walls. The question is simply how large those openings are and whether the remaining wall still qualifies as a halachic wall.
Practically, according to the accepted ruling of most Poskim, the two primary walls of the Sukkah should contain more wall than opening. Thus, one generally cannot have most of a wall open and only a small section closed. Furthermore, one should avoid leaving a continuous breach of ten Amos (approximately 4.8 meters) in a wall unless it is corrected in a halachically valid manner.
Explanation:
The Preferred Practice: Complete Walls
Before discussing what is technically permitted, it is important to note what is recommended.
The Rama records that the custom is to build complete walls. If one cannot accomplish this, it is preferable to make three complete walls rather than rely on walls that contain large breaches and openings. This avoids many complicated halachic questions regarding the status of openings, breaches, corners, and partitions.
Thus, the question is not how to build the ideal Sukkah. The ideal Sukkah has complete walls. The discussion below relates to what is valid after the fact or when circumstances require a less-than-ideal construction.
Must Every Wall Be Mostly Closed?
Not necessarily.
A Sukkah only requires three walls. Furthermore, not all three walls are equal. The first two walls are the primary walls of the Sukkah and are subject to stricter conditions than the third wall.
According to the accepted ruling of most Poskim, at least the two primary walls should contain Amud Merubah Al Haparutz, meaning more wall than opening. Therefore, if a wall is four meters long, at least slightly more than two meters of that side should be actual wall.
This does not mean that every wall of the Sukkah must meet this requirement. Nor does it mean that the overall Sukkah must contain more wall than open space when all four sides are calculated together.
How Large May a Doorway Be?
A doorway is certainly permitted.
The question is not whether one may leave an opening, but rather whether the remaining wall still qualifies as a halachic wall.
For example, if a wall is 4 meters long and contains a 1 meter doorway, this usually presents no issue. However, if the wall contains only a small section of wall and most of the side is open, then according to most Poskim the wall may no longer qualify as one of the two primary walls.
The Ten-Amah Rule
Even if a wall contains more wall than opening, another limitation applies.
One may not leave a continuous breach measuring ten Amos (approximately 4.8 meters) or more. Such a gap is considered a significant breach and can invalidate the wall.
Thus, a wall may theoretically contain a majority of wall material and still be problematic if it contains an excessively large opening.
What About Lavud Walls?
All of the above applies to ordinary walls.
If one creates proper Lavud walls using ropes, wires, or bars spaced less than three Tefachim apart and reaching a height of ten Tefachim, then Halacha considers the gaps to be closed. In such a case, the wall is viewed as complete even though much of what is visible appears to be empty air.
This is why many canvas Sukkos contain Lavud straps. Even though there is visible space between the straps, the wall is halachically viewed as closed.
Bottom Line
- The preferred custom is to construct complete walls.
- If complete walls are not possible, it is preferable to have three complete walls than four breached walls.
- According to most Poskim, the two primary walls should contain more wall than opening.
- Large doorways are permitted, provided the wall remains halachically valid.
- One should avoid a continuous breach of ten Amos or more.
- Proper Lavud walls are considered closed walls even though they appear mostly open.
Practical Examples
Example 1
A wall is 3 meters long.
- Wall material: 2 meters
- Opening: 1 meter
This is generally valid, since the wall exceeds the opening.
Example 2
A wall is 3 meters long.
- Wall material: 1 meter
- Opening: 2 meters
According to the accepted ruling of many Poskim, this is problematic for one of the two main walls because the opening exceeds the wall.
Example 3
A wall contains a doorway measuring 5 meters wide.
Even if substantial wall remains elsewhere on that side, the wall may be invalid due to the breach exceeding ten Amos.
Sources:
- Regarding the preferred custom to make complete walls: Rama 630:5.
- Regarding preferring three complete walls over four breached walls: Rama 630:5.
- Regarding the requirement of Amud Merubah Al Haparutz by the two primary walls: Magen Avraham 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; Mishnah Berurah 630:22; Kaf Hachaim 630:37; Chazon Ish 75:13
- Regarding the lenient opinion: Rambam Hilchos Sukkah 4:12; Rabbeinu Yerucham; Ran.
- Regarding the invalidation of a breach of ten Amos: Michaber 630:5; Rambam Hilchos Sukkah 4:12; Mishnah Berurah 630:26.
- Regarding Lavud walls: Magen Avraham 630:1, 5; Taz 630:6; Mamar Mordechai 630:6; Kaf Hachaim 630:38.
- Regarding the requirement that walls meet at a corner: Rama 630:5; Mishnah Berurah 630:25.
