ASK THE RAV: Commonly Asked Sukkos Questions
Ask The Rav, a Chabad website for asking Halachic questions to a Rav, has published a list of commonly asked questions regarding Sukkos, along with the answers.
Q. What is the Rebbe’s Minhag in how many Haddasim to use? Is there a specific reason why Chassidim shouldn’t use that amount?
A. It is the Chabad custom to add multiple Haddasim to the standard three, adding at least another three. The greater the number of additional Haddasim, the better.
In Sefer HaMinhagim page 65 it says: 4, 12, 13 or 26 but not 9, 68 or 69.
The Rebbe’s personal custom is to take 36 since 5741. (In 5711 – 13; from 5712 till 5740 – 26).
I don’t see any reason to use or not to use the same amount the Rebbe does.
It should be noted that unlike other customs, in this specific matter, the Rebbeim give specific guidance to different individuals how much they should take. Also, the Rebbe himself changed the amount after the nesius. Same with the Rebbe Rayatz.
Whatever amount one uses is okay so long as one can afford it and it does not come on expense of Simchas Yom Tov of the family.
Q. What is the source for adding more than three Hadasim?
A. It’s straightforward in Shulchan Aruch 651:15.
If they are Litvish, they presumably know the משנה ברורה that even the מדקדקים who don’t add applies only to ערבות, not הדסים, unless ע״פ סוד.
Q. Can we connect a U-Haul trailer to the back of a car and have a Sukkah there. Can we go into that on Shabbos or Yom Tov?
A. Yes, you would be able to use it on Shabbos and Yom Tov as long as that it doesn’t activate any lights or sensors.
However, doing this would require you to make a Eruv Chatzeiros to permit carrying to and from the Sukkah on Shabbos (unless there is a Eruv already in place in your area).
The Sukkah must be parked in a spot which you have permission to park and in a location that will not inflict damage upon your neighbors — by blocking their windows, for example.
Furthermore, the Sukkah must be constructed in a location and manner in which you would feel comfortable to eat, drink and sleep (although not our custom) in the Sukkah.
Q. Mezuzah on Sukkah walls that were left up
A. If there are 4 connected walls and the intent is to leave the Sukkah wall up one should affix a Mezuzah on the right side entry leading into the Sukkah structure without the reciting of a blessing.
Q. Is one able to shake Lulav and Esrog with gloves on his hands?
A. No.
Q. Are Bamboo Mats just as Mehudar as the bamboo poles?
A. The concept of using a mat as Schach is actually brought down in Shulchan Aruch (although this mat wasn’t made specially for the Sukkah). There are several halachic guidelines enumerated in Poskim to ensure a mat is kosher for Schach.
There is a story brought down, that during the break on Yom Kippur one year the Rebbe Rashab and Rav Yakkov Landau were discussing the Gemaras and Poskim regarding using a mat as Schach.
Some Rabbonim who are OK with buying mats that are made with metal wiring, but many maintain they are unkosher as they are mekabel tumah. The ones that are weaved with natural material can be used lechatchilah so long as they are not made for reclining (some are machmir when made as a curtain).
It is recommended to get a mat with a proper hechsher, however Ask The Rav can’t vouch for one hecsher over the other.
Q. Is the pop up Sukkah kosher?
A. Not all pop-up sukkahs are made the same. Here are some points to assure when using one:
In general, it is inadvisable to use canvas even for one of the walls and even if it is firmly secured, because the center sometimes moves back and forth in the wind even while tied, and because the ropes sometimes loosen without anyone noticing and then the sukkah walls are no longer considered to be strong enough to withstand an ordinary gust of wind, as required by halachah.
Therefore, a sukkah using canvas or sheets should have bamboo sticks or beams placed horizontally along the walls for the first ten hand-breadths from the ground, with a space of less than three hand-breadths between each beam. As a first recourse, these beams should be set up on all four sides of the sukkah. Some Sukkahs are equipped with such poles.
The sukkah itself must be strong enough to withstand the normal wind. As such, a pop-up sukkah which is lightweight should be secured well.
Make certain that the s’chach is placed in such a manner that it is able to withstand ordinary gusts of wind throughout the entire festival of Sukkos. This is of particular concern when using a bamboo mat for s’chach. (If using mats, ensure that they are kosher for s’chach).
One may not open or close the sukkah on Shabbos or yom tov. The same applies to the schach which cannot be placed on Shabbos or yom tov.
Q. Can we throw away a dried up Esrog, or does it have to go with Shaimos?
A. May be discarded in a respectful manner (such as placing it in a separate bag before putting in the garbage).
Best to use it for another Mitzvah, such as Besamim. Some make out of it jam for Chamisha Asar Bishevat.
Q. Can I throw out my Schach and Daled Minim?
A. Once Sukkos has passed, the Schach may be used for any purpose, although it is appropriate to avoid stepping on the Schach or using it for a disrespectful purpose.
One is allowed to (in a respectable way – leaving in a separate pile than the rest of the garbage) throw out these ‘תשמישי מצוה’.
However, there is a Minhag to use them to burn the Chometz or for some other Mitzvah, for once it is used for one Mitzvah it should be used for another Mitzvah. This is not a Chiyuv though.
Shulchan Aruch Admor HaZaken states that because it is appropriate to use an object that was used for one Mitzvah for the sake of an additional Mitzvah, some are accustomed to using the Aravos that were struck against the ground on Hoshana Rabbah to burn the Chametz on Erev Pesach. Others use the Aravos to fuel the oven used to bake Matzos (this custom is explained in Likkutei Levi Yitzchak, vol. 2, p. 296). The Frierdiker Rebbe relates that in practice, the Schach was burned in the bath house, soon after Sukkos. The Lulav and Hosha’anos were burned on an ordinary weekday and was not kept to burn with the Chametz.
Q. If my Aravos have turned black (because they dried out) are they still kosher to use for Daled Minim, or do I need to buy new ones?
A. It is still Kosher as long as the top two leaves as well as most of the leaves are still intact. If the top two leave aren’t intact, it is still Kosher, but some are Mehader to have them intact.
It is proper to switch the Aravos sometime during Chol Hamoed.
See the full list of commonly asked questions Here
