KBI is launching a two-phase, two-year initiative to increase our congregation’s engagement with the festival of Sukkot by being Sukkah builders, hopefully this year; and next year, begin hosting fellow congregants in a well-organized Sukkah Hop for different ages and stages of our membership. It’s not just a mitzvah — it’s a lot of fun!
So please read on to learn more about Sukkot (the holiday and the structure!), and to build (or buy) your own sukkah!
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a joyful, week-long Jewish holiday celebrated in the autumn. It commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering the desert, living in temporary shelters, after escaping slavery in Egypt. It is also a beautiful harvest festival, giving thanks for the bounty of the earth and the gathering of crops.
The Torah Source
The central commandment to dwell in a sukkah is found in the Torah in the book of Leviticus (Vayikra) 23:42-43:
“You shall dwell in booths for seven days; all citizens in Israel shall dwell in booths, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the LORD your God.”
The Sukkah Structure & Laws
A sukkah is a temporary structure designed to provide shade while remaining open to the elements and the natural world. Key laws (halachot) regarding its construction include:
The Walls: A kosher sukkah must have at least two complete walls and a small part of a third. The walls can be made of any sturdy material (such as wood, canvas, or fibreglass) that will not blow away in a normal wind.
The Roof (S’chach): This is the most crucial element. The s’chach must be made of natural material that grew from the ground and has been completely detached from it (e.g., bamboo, evergreen branches, or corn stalks). It cannot be made of finished, manufactured materials like processed lumber, plastic, or metal.
Shade vs. Sun: The s’chach must be thick enough to provide more shade than sunlight during the day, but you should still be able to see the stars through it at night.
Placement: The sukkah must be constructed entirely under the open sky. It is not kosher if built under a tree, a building overhang, or a permanent roof.
There are many different layouts and materials possible for a kosher sukkah. Here’s one example:
Here are some examples of non-kosher sukkot. Use the arrows or dots to scroll through them.
If you prefer a ready-to-assemble kit rather than building from scratch, purchasing a pre-fab sukkah is a fantastic and easy option. They are convenient, modular, and easy to store during the off-season.
We recommend checking out Leiter’s Sukkah, a leading manufacturer of high-quality, durable sukkahs. You can browse their extensive selection of canvas, fibreglass, and paneled sukkahs online at www.leiterssukkah.com.
Or, have a look at the pre-fab options at The Sukkah Project: www.sukkot.com/products/sukkah-kits
