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only a so-called prohibition not to sleep somewhere reason for the change in custom. Whichever historical
else. Thus, there is no Hava Amina (initial thought) explanation one holds by, the basis for the exemption
that one should recite a bracha upon sleeping in the is that cold weather caused people discomfort, and
Sukkah. therefore they were permitted to sleep in their homes.
6
Some Rishonim (see Mordechai ibid ) take it a step
Nevertheless, the Nafka Mina is only a theoretical one, further. Not only were they considered in discomfort
since even according to Rashi we don’t in fact recite from the cold, but they were considered to be ill –
a bracha on sleeping in the Sukkah, but for different even if not yet but certainly if they would have slept in
reasons: either since when we make a bracha upon the Sukkah – and the ill are exempt from the Sukkah
eating this includes sleeping, or because sometimes it as well (Shulchan Aruch OC 640:3).
takes a long time to fall asleep and we are concerned
that the bracha would be in vain . 4 Some of the later Poskim accepted this to be the reason
for the custom, for instance the Aruch Ha’shulchan
(OC 639:13). Others disagreed, claiming it was not
Exemptions (and how they might affect the cold enough during the time of Succot, and that a few
definition of a Sukkah) blankets would suffice to remove the discomfort of
the weather (DM 639:3). So other suggestions were
Until now, we discussed the definition of sleeping
in the Sukkah. However which ever understanding proposed.
we choose, we need to understand why so many Thieves
generations of G-d fearing Jews were very lenient Another explanation for this custom is based on the
about this topic. The Halacha is that if someone is Gemara (Sukkah 26a) that states:
in great discomfort (Mitztaer), he is exempt from
staying in the sukkah (Shulchan Aruch OC 640:4), “Guards of gardens and orchards are exempt from the
and this also includes sleeping. However, since we Sukkah both during the day and at night”.
have seen the severity of sleeping outside the Sukkah Why? Two opinions in the Gemara are given. Abaye
– that even a brief nap is forbidden, we must clarify holds that since the obligation is to dwell in the Sukkah
how whole communities had a custom to exempt is the same way that we dwell at home (see above),
themselves from it. Were they all suffering, or did they therefore one must build and equip the Sukkah in
rely on something else?
a manner that would replace his home – as we saw
The Cold Climate above he must place there his dishes and furniture.
Since making such a Sukkah in the orchard, which was
Many Rishonim mentioned the custom was not to far from the city, involved considerable exertion, these
sleep in the Sukkah, and the main reason given was guards are exempt from building a Sukkah . 7
due to the cold weather. This is brought down in
the Mordechai (Sukkah 2:741), in the Me’iri (Bet The second opinion is that of Rava. He explains that
Ha’bechira Sukkah 26a) and in Rabeinu Manoach the exemption is financial. If we would obligate the
(on the Rambam ibid). Some say that this custom guards to build a Sukkah and sit in it, thieves would
started as Jews begun to live in colder countries have an easy time breaking in and stealing, since they
located in Europe and they were not used to the cold know the exact location guards are (in the Sukkah).
8
climate, whilst others point to a global cooling as the
5
4 See Tosfot on Brachot 11b sv. “Shekvar”, and Ros”h on Brachot 1:13. There is room for debate if the blessing is in vain only if he does not fall asleep,
or if the fact that he might not fall asleep shows us that this is not up to him like most other actions that we make a blessing upon.
5 See further Wikipedia – little ice age.
6 And perhaps it is also the intent of the Me’iri and the Rabinu Manoach.
7 This is according to the commentary of Rashi. However other Rishonim explain it in differently.
8 Once again this is according to Rashi, and there are different explanations by the Rishonim.

130 · Hilchot Sukkah Tzurba M’Rabanan