Sukkah Definitions

According to Jewish law, a sukkah is a hut-like structure used to eat, sleep and for recreational use.

In practice, the walls of a sukkah can be constructed from any material that will withstand a normally anticipated terrestrial wind.

The s’chach (roof) of the Sukkah, is made of organic material which has been disconnected from the ground.

A sukkah must have a minimum of three walls, be at least three feet tall. Most authorities require its floor area to be at least 16 square cubits, roughly 28 sq ft, but there is no maximum size limitation.

 A Sukkah should be positioned so that all or part of its roof is open to the sky, however, only the part which is under the sky is kosher. A Sukkah can be built on the ground or on an open porch or balcony. Indeed, many observant Jews who design their home’s porch or deck will do so in a fashion that aligns with their Sukkah-building needs.

A Sukkah is used during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, (Feast of Tabernacles) which lasts for 7 days in Israel and 8 days outside of Israel that begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei, which generally falls out in September/October.

According to Jewish law, all males above the age of Bar Mitzva are given the opportunity to use a Sukkah by eat formal and informal meals, spend recreational time and sleep inside a Sukkah, whenever possible and non-extreme weather permitting. Although women are exempt from this requirement, the use is optional.