Page 282 - Chayei Adam LAYOUT sivan 5782

Chayei Adam - K’lal 146 - Laws of the Succah

tefachim away [from the s’chach] it is considered a tent unto itself and is
[therefore] posul. If it wasn’t placed there for decoration, but rather for
protection, the succah is not valid, even if it is within four tefachim of the s’chach.
One should be careful not to hang any decorations in the succah unless they are
within four tefachim of the s’chach. Nevertheless, if [it is something which]
provides more sunlight than shade, there is no need to be concerned, because it
wouldn’t be included in the ban. 168 It appears to me that it is for this reason that
we aren’t particular about hanging lanterns. 169

]37[ Nevertheless, some say that it is permitted to spread out a sheet under the
s’chah within 170 four tefachim of it, in order to protect oneself from rain, as then it
is [considered] batul to the s’chach. 171 Therefore, if the wind will extinguish the
candles, it is better to do so rather than eat outside of the succah. 172 However,

םדו רשב
spread out the sheet in order to catch falling although the Magen Avraham rules that one
s’chach (or other similar situations - see next should not hang decorations measuring less
siman). One may, however, spread out a than four tefachim wide unless he does so
decorative piece of material under the s’chach within four tefachim of the s’chach, a
if it serves as a decoration. This is however, decoration which doesn’t block the sun (i.e.
provided that the decorative material is within provides more sunlight than shade) is not
four tefachim of the s’chach, so that it can be included in this restriction. Nevertheless, the
considered nullified to it. A separation of Elya Rabba himself advises against doing so,
more than four tefachim would give the lest one add more such decorations to the
decoration its own identity and one who sits point where they do in fact provide more
under it is considered to be sitting under shade than sun.
another ohel (tent) within the succah, as above
siman 33. Technically speaking, if the 169. The Mishna Berura actually prefers
doing so, in order to reduce the chance of it
decoration measures less than four tefachim in
width, there is no concern of distancing it from catching on fire. Although this is not likely a
concern with electric lights used today, the
the s’chach. Nevertheless, one should hang it Shaar Hatziyun notes that our lights are
within four tefachim of the s’chach regardless
(Rema, based on the custom of the Maharil). usually suspended above the table and are
therefore less of a concern anyway.

168. The Elya Rabba cites the opinion of 170. If it is distanced more than four
the Mateh Moshe who understands that tefachim from the s’chach, it is posul as this is

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