Mishneh Torah, Shofar, Sukkah and Lulav Chapter 5

Chapter 5

א הַסְכָךְ שֶׁל סֻכָּה אֵינוֹ כָּשֵׁר מִכָּל דָּבָר. אֵין מְסַכְּכִין אֶלָּא בְּדָבָר שֶׁגִּדּוּלוֹ מִן הָאָרֶץ שֶׁנֶּעֱקַר מִן הָאָרֶץ וְאֵינוֹ מְקַבֵּל טֻמְאָה וְאֵין רֵיחוֹ רַע וְאֵינוֹ נוֹשֵׁר וְאֵינוֹ נוֹבֵל תָּמִיד:

1 The covering ( skhakh) of the sukkah is not fit from everything. We may only roof with something that grows from the ground, that was detached from the ground, that is not [susceptible to] contracting impurity and that does not have a bad smell, nor constantly sheds or wilts.

ב סִכֵּךְ בְּדָבָר שֶׁאֵין גִּדּוּלָיו מִן הָאָרֶץ אוֹ בִּמְחֻבָּר לָאָרֶץ אוֹ בְּדָבָר שֶׁמְּקַבֵּל טֻמְאָה פְּסוּלָה. אֲבָל אִם עָבַר וְסִכֵּךְ בְּדָבָר הַנּוֹבֵל וְנוֹשֵׁר אוֹ בְּדָבָר שֶׁרֵיחוֹ רַע כְּשֵׁרָה. שֶׁלֹּא אָמְרוּ אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בְּאֵלּוּ אֶלָּא כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יַנִּיחַ הַסֻּכָּה וְיֵצֵא. וְצָרִיךְ לְהִזָּהֵר שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ הוּצִין וְעָלִין שֶׁל סְכָךְ יוֹרְדִין לְתוֹךְ עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יָצֵר לוֹ בִּישִׁיבָתוֹ. סִכְּכָהּ בְּמִינֵי מַתָּכוֹת אוֹ בַּעֲצָמוֹת וְעוֹרוֹת פְּסוּלָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵינָן גִּדּוּלֵי קַרְקַע. הִדְלָה עָלֶיהָ גְּפָנִים וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן עַד שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ סֻכָּה פְּסוּלָה שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא נֶעֶקְרוּ. סִכְּכָהּ בִּכְלֵי עֵץ וּבְמַחֲצָלוֹת הָעֲשׂוּיוֹת לִשְׁכִיבָה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן פְּסוּלָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן מְקַבְּלִין טֻמְאָה. וְכֵן אִם סִכְּכָהּ בְּשִׁבְרֵי כֵּלִים וּבְלִיּוֹתֵיהֶן פְּסוּלָה הוֹאִיל וְהָיוּ מְקַבְּלִין טֻמְאָה שֶׁמָּא יְסַכֵּךְ בִּשְׁבָרִים שֶׁעֲדַיִן לֹא טָהֲרוּ:

2 [If] one did roof with something that does not grow from the ground or that was [still] connected to the ground or that is susceptible to impurity, it is disqualified. But if he transgressed and roofed with something that wilts or sheds or that has a bad smell, it is [still] fit. As [the Sages] only said we do not roof with these in order that one not abandon the sukkah and exit [it]. And one must be careful that the ends of the palm leaves and the leaves of the skhakh not descend within ten handbreadths so that his sitting not be cramped.,[If] one roofed with types of metal, bones or skins — it is disqualified, since they are not [things] that grow from the ground. [If] one raised vines and that which is similar to them until they became [the covering of] a sukkah — it is disqualified, since they are not detached. [If] one roofed with wooden vessels and mats made for laying upon and that which is similar to them — it is disqualified, since they are [susceptible to] contracting impurity. And likewise if one roofed with shards of vessels or used up vessels — it is disqualified: Since they had been susceptible to contracting impurity, [we are concerned] lest one cover with shards that have not yet become pure [from that susceptibility].

ג סִכְּכָהּ בָּאֳכָלִין פְּסוּלָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן מְקַבְּלִין טֻמְאָה. סוֹכֵי תְּאֵנִים וּבָהֶן תְּאֵנִים. פַּרְכִּילֵי עֲנָבִים וּבָהֶם עֲנָבִים. מִכְבָּדוֹת וּבָהֶם תְּמָרִים. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן. רוֹאִין אִם פְּסלֶת מְרֻבָּה עַל הָאֳכָלִין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהֶן וְאִם לָאו אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהֶן. סִכֵּךְ בִּירָקוֹת שֶׁאִם יִבשׁוּ יִבּלוּ וְלֹא יִשָּׁאֵר בָּהֶן מַמָּשׁ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן עַתָּה לַחִים הֲרֵי מְקוֹמָן נֶחְשָׁב כְּאִלּוּ הוּא אֲוִיר וּכְאִלּוּ אֵינָם:

3 [If] one roofed with foods — it is disqualified, since they are [susceptible to] contracting impurity. [In a case of] branches of figs, with figs on them; grape vines, with grapes on them; date branches, with dates on them — and so too, anything that is similar to them: If we see that the residue is greater than the food, we may cover with them; but if not, we may not cover with them. [If] one roofed with vegetables — such that if they dry, they wilt and nothing substantial remains — even though they are fresh now, their place is surely considered as if it was air and as if they were not [there].

ד סִכְּכָהּ בְּפִשְׁתֵּי הָעֵץ שֶׁלֹּא דַּק אוֹתָן וְלֹא נִפְּצָן כְּשֵׁרָה שֶׁעֲדַיִן עֵץ הוּא. וְאִם דַּק וְנִפֵּץ אוֹתָן אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בּוֹ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּנֵּית צוּרָתוֹ וּכְאִלּוּ אֵינָן מִגִּדּוּלֵי קַרְקַע. מְסַכְּכִין בַּחֲבָלִים שֶׁל סִיב וְשֶׁל חֲלָף וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן שֶׁהֲרֵי צוּרָתָן עוֹמֵד וְאֵין הַחֲבָלִים כֵּלִים:

4 [If] one roofed with stalks of flax which he did not crush nor comb — it is fit, as it is still [just like] wood. But if he did crush and comb them, we may not roof with it — since their form has changed, and it is as if they are not from that which grows from the ground. We may roof with ropes of palm bast and of beet shoots and that which is similar to them. For their form surely remains; and ropes are not vessels (utensils).

ה סִכְּכָהּ בְּחִצִּים בִּזְכָרִים כְּשֵׁרָה בִּנְקֵבוֹת פְּסוּלָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא עָשׂוּי לְהִתְמַלְּאוֹת בְּבַרְזֶל בֵּית קִבּוּל הוּא וּמְקַבֵּל טֻמְאָה כְּכָל כְּלִי קִבּוּל:

5 [If] one roofed with plain shafts — it is fit. With holed shafts — it is disqualified. [For] even though [the hole] is made to be filled with iron [arrowheads], it is a receptacle [until that happens]. So it is [susceptible to] contracting impurity, like any receptacle vessel.

ו מַחְצֶלֶת קָנִים אוֹ מַחְצֶלֶת גֶּמִי אוֹ חֲלָף. קְטַנָּה סְתָמָה לִשְׁכִיבָה לְפִיכָךְ אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהּ אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן עָשָׂה אוֹתָהּ לְסִכּוּךְ. גְּדוֹלָה סְתָמָה לְסִכּוּךְ לְפִיכָךְ מְסַכְּכִין בָּהּ אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן עָשָׂה אוֹתָהּ לִשְׁכִיבָה. וְאִם יֵשׁ לָהּ קִיר אֲפִלּוּ גְּדוֹלָה אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהּ שֶׁהֲרֵי הִיא כִּכְלִי קִבּוּל. וַאֲפִלּוּ נִטַּל הַקִּיר שֶׁלָּהּ אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהּ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא כְּשִׁבְרֵי כֵּלִים:

6 A small unspecified mat of reeds or bulrushes or beet roots is for laying upon. Hence we may not roof with it, unless one made it [specifically] for roofing. An unspecified large one is for roofing. Hence we may roof with it, unless one made it [specifically] for laying upon. But if [the mat] has a rim, we may not cover even with a large one — since it is surely like a receptacle vessel. And even if the edge was taken off, we [still] may not cover with it — since it is like the shards of vessels.

ז נְסָרִים שֶׁאֵין בְּרָחְבָּן אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים מְסַכְּכִין בָּהֶן אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן מְשֻׁפִּין. וְאִם יֵשׁ בְּרָחְבָּן אַרְבָּעָה אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהֶן וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינָם מְשֻׁפִּין גְּזֵרָה שֶׁמָּא יֵשֵׁב תַּחַת הַתִּקְרָה וִידַמֶּה שֶׁהִיא כְּסֻכָּה. נָתַן עָלֶיהָ נֶסֶר אֶחָד שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּרָחְבּוֹ אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים כְּשֵׁרָה וְאֵין יְשֵׁנִין תַּחְתָּיו וְהַיָּשֵׁן תַּחְתָּיו לֹא יָצָא יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ. הָיוּ נְסָרִין שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּרָחְבָּן אַרְבָּעָה וְאֵין בְּעָבְיָן אַרְבָּעָה וַהֲפָכָן בְּצִדֵּיהֶן שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶן אַרְבָּעָה וְסִכֵּךְ בָּהֶן הֲרֵי זוֹ פְּסוּלָה. שֶׁהֲרֵי הַנֶּסֶר פָּסוּל בֵּין שֶׁסִּכֵּךְ בְּרָחְבּוֹ בֵּין שֶׁסִּכֵּךְ בְּעָבְיוֹ:

7 We may roof with boards that are not four handbreadths wide — even though they are sanded down. But if they are four wide, we may not roof with them — even though they are not sanded down. [This is as] a decree lest one sit under the roof [of a house] and it appear to him that it is like a sukkah. [If] he placed a board that had a width of four on top of [a fit sukkah], it is [still] fit; but we may not sleep under it. And one who sleeps under it has not fulfilled his obligation. [In a case in which] the boards are four wide but not four thick and one rotated them to be on their sides that are not four and roofed with them: It is surely disqualified — since the board [itself] is disqualified, whether he roofed with its width or whether he roofed with its thickness.

ח תִּקְרָה שֶׁאֵין עָלֶיהָ מַעֲזִיבָה שֶׁהִיא הַטִּיט וְהָאֲבָנִים אֶלָּא נְסָרִין תְּקוּעִין בִּלְבַד הֲרֵי זוֹ פְּסוּלָה שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא נַעֲשׂוּ לְשֵׁם סֻכָּה אֶלָּא לְשֵׁם בַּיִת. לְפִיכָךְ אִם פִּקְפֵּק הַנְּסָרִים וְהֵנִיד הַמַּסְמְרִים לְשֵׁם סֻכָּה הֲרֵי זוֹ כְּשֵׁרָה. וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה בְּכָל נֶסֶר וְנֶסֶר אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים. וְכֵן אִם נָטַל אֶחָד מִבֵּינְתַיִם וְהִנִּיחַ בִּמְקוֹמוֹ סְכָךְ כָּשֵׁר לְשֵׁם סֻכָּה הֲרֵי זוֹ כְּשֵׁרָה:

8 [In a case of] a roof that has no plastering — which is the plaster and the gravel — but is only implanted boards: It is surely disqualified — since they were surely not [put in place] for the sake of a sukkah but for the sake of a house. Hence if one moved the boards and undid the nails for the sake of a sukkah — it is surely fit. And [that is] so long as there not be [a width] of four handbreadths in each and every board. And likewise is it surely fit if he removed one from among them and placed proper skhakh in its place.

ט סֻכָּה שֶׁנַּעֲשֵׂית כְּהִלְכָתָהּ מִכָּל מָקוֹם כְּשֵׁרָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נַעֲשֵׂית לְשֵׁם מִצְוָה. וְהוּא שֶׁתִּהְיֶה עֲשׂוּיָה לְצֵל כְּגוֹן סֻכַּת עַכּוּ"ם וְסֻכַּת בְּהֵמָה וְכָל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן. אֲבָל סֻכָּה שֶׁנַּעֲשֵׂית מֵאֵלֶיהָ פְּסוּלָה לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא נַעֲשֵׂית לְצֵל. וְכֵן הַחוֹטֵט בְּגָדִישׁ וְעָשָׂהוּ סֻכָּה אֵינָהּ סֻכָּה שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא עִמֵּר גָּדִישׁ זֶה לְצֵל. לְפִיכָךְ אִם עָשָׂה בַּתְּחִלָּה חֲלַל טֶפַח בְּמֶשֶׁךְ שִׁבְעָה לְשֵׁם סֻכָּה וְחָטַט בָּהּ אַחֲרֵי כֵן וְהִשְׁלִימָהּ לַעֲשָׂרָה כְּשֵׁרָה שֶׁהֲרֵי נַעֲשָׂה סְכָךְ שֶׁלָּהּ לְצֵל:

9 Any sukkah that is made properly is fit — even though it is not made for the sake of the commandment. And that is so long as it was made for shade, like a hut for gentiles, a hut for animals and anything that is similar to them. But a sukkah formed on its own is disqualified — since it was not made for shade. And likewise [in a case of] one who dug out [sheaves] from a stack and made it into a sukkah: It is not a sukkah — since he did not gather this stack for shade. Hence if he made a cavity [in the stack] of a handbreadth across seven for the sake of a sukkah at the beginning, and afterwards dug out [more] to complete it to ten, it is fit. For its skhakh was made for the sake of shade.

י חֲבִילֵי קַשׁ וַחֲבִילֵי עֵצִים וַחֲבִילֵי זְרָדִין אֵין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהֶן גְּזֵרָה שֶׁמָּא יַעֲשֶׂה אוֹתָן חֲבִילוֹת עַל גַּגּוֹ כְּדֵי לְיַבְּשָׁן וְיִמָּלֵךְ וְיֵשֵׁב תַּחְתֵּיהֶן לְשֵׁם סֻכָּה וְהוּא מִתְּחִלָּה לֹא עָשָׂה סְכָךְ זֶה לְצֵל וְנִמְצֵאת כְּסֻכָּה שֶׁנַּעֲשֵׂית מֵאֵלֶיהָ. וְאִם הִתִּירָם כְּשֵׁרוֹת. וְאֵין חֲבִילָה פְּחוּתָה מֵעֶשְׂרִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה בַּדִּים:

10 We may not roof with bundles of straw, or bundles of wood, or bundles of twigs. [This is because of a] decree lest one make them as bundles [that he wants to deposit] on his roof in order to dry them, and he reconsiders, to sit under them for the sake of [it being used] like a sukkah — whereas he did not make this skhakh for shade at the beginning. And it comes out to be like a sukkah formed on its own. But, if one untied them, they are fit. And a bundle is not less than twenty five branches.

יא חֲבִילוֹת קְטַנּוֹת שֶׁאָגְדוּ אוֹתָן לְמִנְיָן מְסַכְּכִין בָּהֶן. וְכֵן הַחוֹתֵךְ רֹאשׁ הַדֶּקֶל וְהַחֲרָיוֹת אֲגֻדּוֹת בּוֹ מְסַכְּכִין בּוֹ שֶׁאֶגֶד בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם אֵינוֹ כַּחֲבִילָה. וַאֲפִלּוּ קָשַׁר רָאשֵׁי הַחֲרָיוֹת כֻּלָּן מִצַּד הָאֶחָד שֶׁנִּמְצְאוּ בַּחֲבִילָה אַחַת אֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי רָאשִׁים בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם וְאֶחָד בִּידֵי אָדָם מְסַכְּכִין בָּהּ שֶׁהָאוֹגֵד עֵץ אֶחָד אֵינוֹ חֲבִילָה וְזוֹ כְּעֵץ אֶחָד הִיא שֶׁהֲרֵי אֲגוּדָה בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם. וְכֵן כָּל אֶגֶד שֶׁאֵינוֹ עָשׂוּי לְטַלְטְלוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶגֶד:

11 We may roof with small bundles that were bound to [form] a count. And likewise may we roof with the top of a palm tree that has branches bound by it — since what is bound by the hand of the Heavens (naturally) is not [considered to be] like a bundle. And we may roof with it, even if [one] tied all the branches from [the other] side — such that it be found in one bundle [that] one of its two heads is by the hand of the Heavens and one is by human hands. For one who binds a tree is not [making] a bundle. And this is like one tree — for it is [also] bound by the hand of the Heavens. And likewise any binding that is not made [suitable] to carry [the bundle] is not a binding.

יב הָעוֹשֶׂה סֻכָּתוֹ תַּחַת הָאִילָן כְּאִלּוּ עֲשָׂאָהּ בְּתוֹךְ הַבַּיִת. הִדְלָה עָלֶיהָ עָלֵי הָאִילָנוֹת וּבַדֵּיהֶן וְסִכֵּךְ עַל גַּבָּן וְאַחַר כָּךְ קָצְצָן. אִם הָיָה הַסִּכּוּךְ הַרְבֵּה מֵהֶן כְּשֵׁרָה. וְאִם לֹא הָיָה הַסִּכּוּךְ שֶׁהָיָה מִתְּחִלָּתוֹ כָּשֵׁר הַרְבֵּה מֵהֶן צָרִיךְ לְנַעֲנֵעַ אוֹתָן אַחַר קְצִיצָתָן כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּהְיֶה עֲשׂוּיָה לְשֵׁם סֻכָּה:

12 One who makes his sukkah under a tree is as if he makes it inside a house. [In the case of one who] raises the leaves of the tree and its branches upon [the sukkah] and covers them [with proper skhakh ], and afterwards cuts the [tree's leaves and branches]: If the roofing was more than them, it is fit. But if the roofing that was fit from the beginning was not more then them, he must shake them after their cutting — so that they be [placed] for the sake of the sukkah.

יג עֵרֵב דָּבָר שֶׁמְּסַכְּכִין בּוֹ בְּדָבָר שֶׁאֵין מְסַכְּכִין בּוֹ וְסִכֵּךְ בִּשְׁנֵיהֶם אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַכָּשֵׁר יָתֵר עַל הַפָּסוּל פְּסוּלָה. סִכֵּךְ בָּזֶה לְעַצְמוֹ וּבָזֶה לְעַצְמוֹ זֶה בְּצַד זֶה. אִם יֵשׁ בַּסְּכָךְ פָּסוּל שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד בֵּין בָּאֶמְצַע בֵּין מִן הַצַּד הֲרֵי זוֹ פְּסוּלָה:

13 [If] one mixed something with which we may roof with something with which we may not roof, and roofed with both of them [together] — it is disqualified, even though the fit is more than the disqualified. [In a case in which] one roofed with this by itself and that by itself — this one alongside that one: If there are three handbradths of disqualified skhakh in one place — whether in the middle or on the side — it is certainly disqualified.

יד בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּסֻכָּה קְטַנָּה אֲבָל בְּסֻכָּה גְּדוֹלָה סְכָךְ פָּסוּל בָּאֶמְצַע פּוֹסְלָהּ בְּאַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים. פָּחוֹת מִכֵּן כְּשֵׁרָה. וּמִן הַצַּד פּוֹסֵל בְּאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת וּפָחוֹת מִכֵּן כְּשֵׁרָה. כֵּיצַד. בַּיִת שֶׁנִּפְחַת בְּאֶמְצָעוֹ וְסִכֵּךְ עַל מְקוֹם הַפְּחָת. וְכֵן חָצֵר הַמֻּקֶּפֶת אַכְסַדְרָה שֶׁסִּכֵּךְ עָלֶיהָ. וְכֵן סֻכָּה גְּדוֹלָה שֶׁהִקִּיפוּהָ בְּדָבָר שֶׁאֵין מְסַכְּכִין בּוֹ בְּצַד הַדְּפָנוֹת מִלְּמַעְלָה. אִם יֵשׁ מִשְּׂפַת הַסְּכָךְ הַכָּשֵׁר וְלַכֹּתֶל אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת פְּסוּלָה. פָּחוֹת מִכֵּן רוֹאִין כְּאִלּוּ הַכֹּתֶל נֶעֱקַם וְיֵחָשֵׁב זֶה הַסְּכָךְ הַפָּסוּל מִגּוּף הַכֹּתֶל וּכְשֵׁרָה. וְדָבָר זֶה הֲלָכָה לְמשֶׁה מִסִּינַי:

14 To what are these words applicable? To a small sukkah (see 5:15 below). But with a big sukkah, four handbreadths of disqualified skhakh disqualifies in the middle, [but] less than that is fit; and on the side, four ells of disqualified skhakh disqualify, [but] less than that is fit. How is that? [In the case of] a house that is open in the middle [of its roof] and one roofed the opening [with skhakh ]; so too a courtyard — surrounded by a [covered] veranda — upon which one roofed; and so too a large sukkah that was surrounded by something with which we may not roof, next to the walls from above: If there are four ells from the edges of the fit skhakh to the wall, it is disqualified. [But if it is] less than that, we see [it] as if the wall was bent and this disqualified skhakh is considered part of the body of the wall and [so,] fit. And this thing is a law from Moses [received] at Sinai.

טו וְאֵי זוֹ הִיא סֻכָּה קְטַנָּה כָּל שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ אֶלָּא שִׁבְעָה טְפָחִים עַל שִׁבְעָה טְפָחִים. וּגְדוֹלָה כָּל שֶׁיִּשָּׁאֵר בָּהּ יֶתֶר עַל סְכָךְ הַפָּסוּל שִׁבְעָה טְפָחִים עַל שִׁבְעָה טְפָחִים סְכָךְ כָּשֵׁר:

15 And which is a small sukkah? Any one that only has seven handbreadths on seven handbreadths. And a big one? Any one in which there remains seven handbreadths on seven handbreadths of fit skhakh beyond the disqualified skhakh.

טז סִכֵּךְ בְּדָבָר פָּסוּל וְדָבָר כָּשֵׁר זֶה בְּצַד זֶה וְאֵין בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד מִסְּכָךְ הַפָּסוּל רֹחַב שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים אֶלָּא פָּחוֹת. אִם הָיָה כָּל הַסְּכָךְ הַכָּשֵׁר יוֹתֵר עַל כָּל הַסְּכָךְ הַפָּסוּל כָּשֵׁר. וְאִם הָיָה זֶה כְּמוֹ זֶה בְּצִמְצוּם אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד שְׁלֹשָׁה הֲרֵי זוֹ פְּסוּלָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁסְּכָךְ פָּסוּל כְּפָרוּץ הוּא נֶחְשָׁב:

16 [In a case in which] one roofed with with something disqualified and something fit — this one alongside that one and there is not a width of three handbreadths of disqualified skhakh in one place, but rather less: If all of the fit skhakh was more than all of the disqualified skhakh, it is fit. But if this one was like that one exactly — even though there is not three [handbreadths of disqualified skhakh ] in one place — it is surely disqualified. For disqualified skhakh is considered like [empty space].

יז פָּרַשׂ עָלֶיהָ בֶּגֶד מִלְּמַעְלָה אוֹ שֶׁפָּרַשׂ תַּחְתֶּיהָ מִפְּנֵי הַנֶּשֶׁר פְּסוּלָה. פְּרָשׂוֹ כְּדֵי לְנָאוֹתָהּ כְּשֵׁרָה. וְכֵן אִם סִכְּכָהּ כְּהִלְכָתָהּ וְעִטְּרָהּ בְּמִינֵי פֵּרוֹת וּבְמִינֵי מְגָדִים וְכֵלִים שֶׁתְּלוּיִין בֵּין בִּכְתָלֶיהָ בֵּין בַּסְּכָךְ כְּדֵי לְנָאוֹתָהּ כְּשֵׁרָה:

17 [If] one spread a garment above; or spread it below the skhakh because of the shedding [leaves] — it is disqualified. [If] he spread it to beautify it, it is fit. And likewise, if he roofed it properly and adorned it with [different] types of fruits, of delicacies and of vessels — suspended either from the walls or from the skhakh — in order to beautify it, it is fit.

יח נוֹיֵי סֻכָּה אֵין מְמַעֲטִין בְּגָבְהָהּ אֲבָל מְמַעֲטִין בְּרָחְבָּהּ. הָיוּ נוֹיֵי הַסֻּכָּה מֻפְלָגִין מִגַּגָּהּ אַרְבָּעָה טְפָחִים אוֹ יֶתֶר פְּסוּלָה. שֶׁנִּמְצָא הַיּוֹשֵׁב שָׁם כְּאִלּוּ אֵינוֹ תַּחַת הַסְּכָךְ אֶלָּא תַּחַת הַנּוֹיִים שֶׁהֵן אֳכָלִין וְכֵלִים שֶׁאֵין מְסַכְּכִין בָּהֶן:

18 Decorations of the sukkah do not reduce its height, but they do reduce its width. If the decorations of the sukkah were four handbreadths or more removed from its roof, it is disqualified. For it comes out that one sitting there is as if he is not under the skhakh but under the decorations — which are foods and vessels with which we do not roof.

יט סְכָךְ שֶׁהָיוּ בּוֹ חַלּוֹנוֹת חַלּוֹנוֹת שֶׁהָאֲוִיר נִרְאֶה מֵהֶן. אִם יֵשׁ בְּכָל הָאֲוִיר כְּכָל מָקוֹם הַמְסֻכָּךְ הֲרֵי זוֹ פְּסוּלָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחַמָּתָהּ תִּהְיֶה מְרֻבָּה מִצִּלָּתָהּ. וְכָל שֶׁהַחַמָּה מְרֻבָּה עַל הַצֵּל אֵינוֹ סְכָךְ. וְאִם הָיָה הַסְּכָךְ רַב עַל הָאֲוִיר כְּשֵׁרָה:

19 [In a case of] skhakh within which there were many windows through which the [sky] appears: If there is in all of the airspace as much, or more than, all of the area covered by skhakh — it is surely disqualified, since its sunlight is more than its shade. And anything in which the sunlight is greater than the shade is not skhakh (a covering). But if the skhakh was more than the airspace, it is fit.

כ בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּשֶׁלֹּא הָיָה בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד אֲוִיר שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים. אֲבָל אִם הָיָה אֲוִיר שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים בֵּין בָּאֶמְצַע בֵּין מִן הַצַּד הֲרֵי זוֹ פְּסוּלָה עַד שֶׁיְּמַעֲטֶנּוּ מִשְּׁלֹשָׁה. מִעֲטוֹ בְּדָבָר הַפָּסוּל כְּגוֹן כָּרִים וּכְסָתוֹת. אִם סֻכָּה גְּדוֹלָה הִיא כְּשֵׁרָה. וְאִם בְּסֻכָּה קְטַנָּה פְּסוּלָה עַד שֶׁיְּמַעֲטֶנּוּ בְּדָבָר שֶׁמְּסַכְּכִין בּוֹ. הָיָה רֹב הַסִּכּוּךְ צִלָּתוֹ מְרֻבֶּה מֵחֲמָתוֹ וּמִעוּטוֹ חֲמָתוֹ מְרֻבֶּה מִצִּלָּתוֹ הוֹאִיל וְצִלַּת הַכּל מְרֻבָּה מֵחֲמַת הַכּל כְּשֵׁרָה:

20 To what are these words applicable? When there was not three handbreadths of airspace in one place. But if there was three handbreadths of airspace — whether in the middle or whether on the side — it is surely disqualified, until one reduces it from [being] three. [In a case where] he reduced it with something disqualified — such as pillows and bed covers: If it was a large sukkah, it is fit. But it was a small sukkah, it is disqualified until he reduces it with something with which we may roof. If the majority of the covering was [such that] its shade was more than its sunlight, and the minority was [such that] its sunlight was more than its shade — since the shade in the whole thing is more than the sunlight in the whole thing, it is fit.

כא דֶּרֶךְ הַסִּכּוּךְ לִהְיוֹת קַל כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּרָאוּ מִמֶּנּוּ הַכּוֹכָבִים הַגְּדוֹלִים. הָיְתָה מְעֻבָּה כְּמִין בַּיִת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין הַכּוֹכָבִים נִרְאִין מִתּוֹכָהּ כְּשֵׁרָה. הָיָה הַסִּכּוּךְ מְדֻבְלָל וְהוּא הַסִּכּוּךְ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה מִקְצָתוֹ לְמַעְלָה וּמִקְצָתוֹ לְמַטָּה כָּשֵׁר. וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה בֵּין הָעוֹלֶה וְהַיּוֹרֵד שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים. וְאִם הָיָה בְּרֹחַב זֶה הָעוֹלֶה טֶפַח אוֹ יֶתֶר אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא גָּבוֹהַּ יֶתֶר מִשְּׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים רוֹאִין אוֹתוֹ כְּאִלּוּ יָרַד לְמַטָּה וְנָגַע בִּשְׂפַת זֶה הַיּוֹרֵד. וְהוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה מְכֻוָּן כְּנֶגֶד שְׂפַת הַיּוֹרֵד:

21 The way of covering is that it be light, in order that the large stars can be seen [through] it. If it was thick like a type of house[roof] — it is fit, even though the stars are not visible. If the covering was scattered ( meduvlal) — and that is a covering, part of which is higher and part of which is lower — it is fit. And [that is] so long as there are not three handbreadths between the raised part and the sunken part. But if there was the width of a handbreadth or more in the raised one — even though it is more then three handbreadths higher — we see it as if it goes down and touches the edge of the sunken one. And that is when it is in line with the edge of the lower one.

כב הָעוֹשֶׂה סֻכָּה עַל גַּבֵּי סֻכָּה. הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה פְּסוּלָה כְּמִי שֶׁעָשָׂה סֻכָּה בְּתוֹךְ הַבַּיִת וְהָעֶלְיוֹנָה כְּשֵׁרָה בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים שֶׁהַתַּחְתּוֹנָה פְּסוּלָה בְּשֶׁהָיָה גֹּבַהּ חֲלַל הָעֶלְיוֹנָה עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים אוֹ יֶתֶר וְהָיָה גַּג הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה יָכוֹל לְקַבֵּל כָּרִים וּכְסָתוֹת שֶׁל עֶלְיוֹנָה אֲפִלּוּ עַל יְדֵי הַדְּחָק. אֲבָל אִם אֵין גָּבְהָהּ שֶׁל עֶלְיוֹנָה עֲשָׂרָה אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא הָיְתָה הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה יְכוֹלָה לְקַבֵּל כָּרִים וּכְסָתוֹת שֶׁל עֶלְיוֹנָה אֲפִלּוּ עַל יְדֵי הַדְּחָק (אַף) הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה כְּשֵׁרָה וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה גֹּבַהּ שְׁתֵּיהֶן יֶתֶר עַל עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה שֶׁהַתַּחְתּוֹנָה בַּסְּכָךְ הָעֶלְיוֹנָה הִיא נִתֶּרֶת:

22 [In a case of] a sukkah on top of a sukkah: The bottom one is disqualified — like one who made a sukkah inside a house — but the upper one is fit. To what are these words — that the bottom one is disqualified — applicable? When the height of the space of the higher one is ten handbreadths or more, and the roof of the bottom one is capable of holding pillows and bed covers from the top one — even if [only] with strain. But if the height of the higher one is [less than] ten, or the bottom one is not capable of holding pillows and bed covers from the top one — even if [only] with strain — (even) the bottom one is fit. And that is when the height of both of them (together) is not more than twenty ells. For the bottom one is made permissible by the skhakh of the top one.

כג מִטָּה שֶׁבְּתוֹךְ הַסֻּכָּה אִם גְּבוֹהָה עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים. הַיּוֹשֵׁב תַּחְתֶּיהָ לֹא יָצָא יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ. מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא כְּסֻכָּה בְּתוֹךְ סֻכָּה. וְכֵן כִּלָּה שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ גַּג אֲפִלּוּ טֶפַח אִם גְּבוֹהָה עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים אֵין יְשֵׁנִין בָּהּ בַּסֻּכָּה. וְכֵן הַמַּעֲמִיד אַרְבָּעָה עַמּוּדִים וּפָרַשׂ סָדִין עֲלֵיהֶן אִם גְּבוֹהִין עֲשָׂרָה הֲרֵי זוֹ כְּסֻכָּה בְּתוֹךְ סֻכָּה:

23 [In a case of] a bed inside a sukkah: If it is ten handbreadths tall — one who sleeps under it has not fulfilled his obligation, for it is like a sukkah inside a sukkah. And likewise [in a case of] a canopy that has a roof, even if [that roof] is a handbreadth wide: If it is ten handbreadths tall — we may not sleep [under] it in a sukkah. And likewise [in a case of] one who puts up four pillars and spreads a sheet over them: If it they are ten high — it is surely like a sukkah inside a sukkah.

כד אֲבָל שְׁנֵי עַמּוּדִים שֶׁפָּרַשׂ עֲלֵיהֶן סָדִין וְכֵן כִּלָּה שֶׁאֵין בְּגַגָּהּ טֶפַח אֲפִלּוּ גְּבוֹהִין כָּל שֶׁהֵן מֻתָּר לִישֹׁן תַּחְתֵּיהֶם בְּסֻכָּה. שֶׁאֵינָן כְּסֻכָּה בְּתוֹךְ סֻכָּה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵין לָהּ גַּג:

24 But [in a case of] two pillars over which one spread a sheet; and also a canopy that does not have a roof of [at least] a handbreadth — even if they are completely tall: It is permissible to sleep under them in a sukkah — for they are not like a sukkah inside a sukkah — as the [inner one] does not have a roof (and so, cannot be considered a sukkah).

כה סֻכָּה שְׁאוּלָה כְּשֵׁרָה וְכֵן הַגְּזוּלָה כְּשֵׁרָה. כֵּיצַד. אִם תָּקַף עַל חֲבֵרוֹ וְהוֹצִיאוֹ מִסֻּכָּתוֹ וּגְזָלָהּ וְיָשַׁב בָּהּ יָצָא שֶׁאֵין הַקַּרְקַע נִגְזֶלֶת. וְאִם גָּזַל עֵצִים וְעָשָׂה מֵהֶן סֻכָּה יָצָא. שֶׁתַּקָּנַת חֲכָמִים הִיא שֶׁאֵין לְבַעַל הָעֵצִים אֶלָּא דְּמֵי עֵצִים בִּלְבַד. וַאֲפִלּוּ גָּזַל נְסָרִים וְהִנִּיחָן וְלֹא חִבְּרָן וְלֹא שָׁנָה בָּהֶן כְּלוּם יָצָא. הָעוֹשֶׂה סֻכָּתוֹ בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים הֲרֵי זוֹ כְּשֵׁרָה:

25 A borrowed sukkah — as well a stolen sukkah — is fit. How is that? If one assaulted his fellow and expelled him from his sukkah, stole it and sat in it — he has fulfilled [his obligation]. For land cannot be stolen (such that he is ultimately only borrowing the sukkah). And [even] if he stole wood and made a sukkah from it, he has fulfilled [his obligation]. For it is an ordinance of the Sages that the owner of the wood is only [entitled to] the worth of the wood alone. And even if he stole boards and placed them there — and did not connect them and did not change anything about them — he has fulfilled [his obligation. In a case of] one who makes his sukkah in the public domain: It is fit.

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