Can You Build A Kosher Sukkah With A Slanted Roof Or Under Rafters?

So, you’ve got a pop-up gazebo frame with slanted roof bars that seem determined to make your Sukkah anything but kosher. Is this the end of your joyous Sukkot? Not quite!

According to Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 626:3), if you remove roof tiles but leave thin wooden supports, your Sukkah can still be kosher – provided those supports could theoretically serve as Schach after some tweaking. Metal, however, is a different story. It’s invalid for Schach  and throws a bit of a wrench (or perhaps a hacksaw) into the mix.

So, what’s the solution? If the bars form part of the roof, they don't automatically invalidate your Sukkah. Any Schach directly under them might not count, but as long as the rest of your Schach provides more shade than sunlight, you're good to go. Or, “Just buy a hacksaw!” Sometimes simplicity is best. 

Picture this: You’ve scored a  pop-up canopy  for your Sukkah. It’s portable, convenient, and just the right size. The catch? Its roof is a perfect triangle. Is this a kosher Sukkah or a case of Sukkah sabotage?

Let’s turn to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 631:10. A Sukkah with no flat roof – think walls slanting together to form a tent – is invalid. But here’s the twist: If you can add even a small flat section of Schach, just one tefach (handbreadth), the Sukkah becomes kosher.

So, your peaked roof isn’t a dealbreaker. With some ingenuity (and possibly a creative Schach  arrangement), your canopy can go from picnic to perfectly kosher in no time. Bonus: You now have a kosher Sukkah with  built-in rain-shedding capabilities.  Modern convenience meets ancient tradition.

Metal might make a sturdy frame, but for Schach, it’s a hard pass. That’s because Schach must come from materials that are both natural and detached from their source of growth. Metal? Not so much.

If your Sukkah’s metal framework creates a slanted roof, don’t panic. Remember, the invalid metal doesn’t automatically invalidate the entire Sukkah.

Pro tip: You could embrace the DIY spirit and swap those metal bars for wood. It’s the halachic equivalent of taking lemons and making lemonade – except in this case, you’re making a kosher Sukkah!

What about those picturesque sloped Sukkahs you’ve seen on Pinterest? Can you recreate the vibe while keeping things kosher? Absolutely, as long as you keep some key principles in mind:

1. Volume Matters : A Sukkah needs to measure at least 7x7 tefachim (handbreadths) in area and 10 tefachim in height.
   
   

2. Flat is Fabulous : Even if most of your roof is slanted, a single flat tefach-wide section can save the day.
   
   

3. Walls Work Wonders : Slanted walls are okay as long as they rest on vertical ones that meet the height requirements.
   
   

If your Sukkah meets these criteria, you’ve officially turned a tricky situation into a halachic masterpiece. Who said building a kosher Sukkah couldn’t be a creative challenge? 

Still feeling stuck? Here’s a concept that could save your Sukkah: Lavud. This halachic principle treats gaps of less than three tefachim (about 9 inches) as solid . So, if your Schach isn’t perfectly level and it’s creating some gaps, lavud might fill in the blanks – halachically speaking.

Of course, if your roof is so slanted it looks like it belongs on an Alpine chalet, you may need more than lavud to make it work. But for minor imperfections? It’s a game-changer.

Bonus Tip: If you go with the hinge setup, you can add a small handle to the bottom edge of the shlock for easier lifting.

1. When in doubt, call your rabbi. As one frustrated Sukkah-builder we talked to noted, their rabbi admitted he’d “never thought about that before” and encouraged them to investigate. Sometimes, even the experts appreciate a good halachic puzzle.
   
   

   While you’re at it, consider the following hacks:

   • Use removable supports for your Schach.
     
     

   • Find modular Sukkah kits designed for unconventional setups.
     
     

   • Bribe your handy neighbor with kugel to help you saw off any problematic bars.
     
     

   • So, there you have it. Whether you’re dealing with slanted roofs, metal frames, or peaked canopies, there’s almost always a halachic workaround – no need to stress! With a little ingenuity and the right guidance, your Sukkah will stand tall (and kosher).
     
     
   
   
   
   

   And if all else fails? Well, there’s always duct tape – or the timeless advice to “buy a hacksaw.”
   
   

   …or even just ditch the headaches all together with a Sukkah kit delivered straight to your door.

   Happy Sukkot!