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SharePlease read the selected texts below and think through the questions following the texts with your group. If you have any questions or need some clarification, please ask any of the teacher in the room. After you have gone through the texts please complete the task at the end of this sheet.
(ג) העושה סכתו בראש העגלה או בראש הספינה, כשרה, ועולין לה ביום טוב.בראש האילן או על גבי גמל, כשרה, ואין עולין לה ביום טוב.שתים באילן ואחת בידי אדם, או שתים בידי אדם ואחת באילן, כשרה, ואין עולין לה ביום טוב.שלש בידי אדם ואחת באילן, כשרה, ועולין לה ביום טוב.זה הכלל , כל שנטל האילז ויכולה לעמוד בפני עצמה, כשרה, ועולין לה ביום טוב.
(3) If a person constructs their succah on the top of a wagon, or on a boat, it is valid, and they may ascend thereto on the festival. If they have constructed the succah on the top of a tree, or on the back of a camel, it is valid; but they must not ascend thereto on the festival. [If] two [side walls of the succah are formed] by a tree, and one by human hands, or two [are formed] by human hands, and one by a tree, the succah is valid, but they must not ascend thereto on the festival. If three [side walls] are formed by human hands, and the fourth by a tree, the succah is valid, and they may ascend thereto on the festival. This is the rule, Whenever the succah can stand by itself, even should the tree [which partly supports it] be removed, the succah is valid, and it is lawful to ascend thereto on the festival.
Some Questions to Ask:
- What does a sukkah on top of a wagon or a boat look like? Is there anything you have to build in a special way for such a sukkah?
- What does a sukkah on top of a camel look like? How about one where three sides are made of hands and one side is a tree? Where might somebody wonder if such a structure is a valid sukkah?
- Most of us build a sukkah that we could eat inside. Why might someone build a sukkah on a camel or in the top of a tree, in a way where it was too precarious to enter into the sukkah?
If they used an animal as a wall of the Sukkah, R. Meir declares it invalid and R. Judah valid, for R. Meir often said, Whatever contains the breath of life cannot be made a wall for a Sukkah, nor [can one use] a side-post from an alley, nor boards from around wells, nor a covering stone for a grave. In the name of R. Jose the Galilean they said, nor may a bill of divorcement be written upon it. What is the reason of R. Meir (why is it that one cannot use an animal as a wall?) — Abaye replied, Lest it die. R. Zera replied, Lest it escape. Concerning an elephant securely bound, all agree [that the Sukkah is valid], since even though it die, there is still ten [handbreadths height] in its carcass. (aka it is still tall enough even when it is dead.)
Some Questions to Ask:
- Why can't an animal be used as the wall of a sukkah in your opinion? (Don't just tell us what the text says, why do you think it is a bad idea?)
- Why do you think you are not allowed to use boards from around a well to build your sukkah?
- Why would you not want to write a legal document, such as a bill of divorce, on the side of your sukkah?
Thinking about the texts we just learned above and using the checklist for a kosher sukkah found below, build a sukkah with your group. If we have time we will have a sukkah fashion show at the end and award prizes to the most creative and well built sukkot out there!
__ Must have at least 3 walls.
__ Must be a temporary structure that provides shade (this is a tent, not a home!)
__ Must be able to withstand normal winds and rain.
__ There must be more roof than sky when you look up, but one must be able to see the stars through the roof.
__ Must have a place for people to sit and eat.
__ Must be decorative and festive to help us celebrate the holiday.
