Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 635

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 635 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1A sukkah is valid even if it was not constructed specifically for the mitzvah. For example, the sukkah was built for shade, like those of the non-Jews, women, animals, Samaritans, Shephards, etc. However, a sukkah that was made of its own accord is invalid because it was not made for shade. Therefore, if someone hollows out a stack of grain and makes it into a sukkah it is not a sukkah, because this grain pile was not erected for shade (and what was done afterwards is 'made but not from something made') (Tur). Accordingly, were one to create a space one handbreadth [high] and seven [handbreadths] in area for the purpose of a sukkah, and afterwards hollow it out till it reached ten [handbreadths], it is kosher, since its s'chach was placed for the purpose of shade. If someone makes a big space and doesn't stop until the hole is one handbreadth [high] and seven [handbreadths] and then he digs out a lot and makes a big sukkah there, it is not valid at all. This is because he withdraws seven and doesn't stop from the beginning. If he digs from the two sides to increase the seven, even the seven is invalid as invalid s'chach invalidates from the side within four amot. Rema: One may not put on the s'chach before finishing the walls. But if he made one tefach and covered it with s'chach it is permitted to put s'chach on it before he makes the other walls, like a situation where one creates a space as above. (Hagahos Maimoni)

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