Table of contents
Tosafot Shuts Down the Ultimate Waterproof Sukkah Upgrade The Great Sukkah Roof Debate: Can You Outsmart the Rain? Can You Just Cover the Sukkah with a Tarp When It Rains? What About Overlapping Schach Like Roof Tiles? Can You Nail Down the Schach So It Doesn’t Move? What Do Modern Rabbis Say? The Takeaway: To Get Wet or Not to Get Wet? Final Thoughts: Is Rain a Blessing or a Curse?
Ah, Sukkot. The holiday where we trade in our solid, well-insulated homes for a charming little hut that lets in just the right amount of fresh air… and sometimes, an unholy amount of rain.
If you’ve ever spent Sukkot in Manchester, London, or anywhere else where the forecast includes “biblical downpours,” you’ve probably had the same thought: Can I make a waterproof Sukkah?
It seems like a simple enough solution – just slap on some tightly woven palm fronds, maybe a layer of thatched roofing, and voilà! No more soggy challah. But before you start sketching out blueprints for a deluxe rain-proof Sukkah with built-in drainage, let’s take a look at what the halachic sources have to say about a waterproof Sukkah. Spoiler: It’s not looking good.
Tosafot Shuts Down the Ultimate Waterproof Sukkah Upgrade
The classic commentary of Tosafot (on Talmud Sukkah 2a) raises an interesting point:
The Talmud (Tractate Taanit 2a) states that rain during Sukkot is a bad sign – like a waiter handing you a drink and then throwing it in your face.
But if making a waterproof Sukkah were a valid halachic option, then this whole idea wouldn’t make sense. Why? Because if it started pouring, we could just install leak-proof roofing, stay dry, and avoid the whole “bad sign” business altogether.
Tosafot explains that a Sukkah’s Schach (the leafy roof covering) must be temporary and must allow for the possibility of rain. If you completely seal it off, your Sukkah is basically a regular house – and that’s a no-go.
Rabbeinu Tam backs this up, saying: A Sukkah must allow rain to come in. His proof? The Talmud explicitly says that if it rains hard enough, you’re allowed to leave the Sukkah and eat inside. But if waterproof Schach were an option, why would leaving the Sukkah ever be necessary? Clearly, a kosher Sukkah isn’t meant to be rain-proof.
The Great Sukkah Roof Debate: Can You Outsmart the Rain?
Now, before you throw away your dream of a bone-dry Sukkah, let’s check out some alternative opinions.
Can You Just Cover the Sukkah with a Tarp When It Rains?
Yes, but temporarily. A tarp can be used to protect the Sukkah from getting drenched when no one is inside. But leaving it up all the time? That’s a problem. If you’re sitting under a covered, waterproof Sukkah, then technically, you’re just sitting outside under a tent – not fulfilling the mitzvah.
What About Overlapping Schach Like Roof Tiles?
This is where things get interesting. Some have suggested laying large, overlapping leaves on a slanted frame, similar to how roof shingles work. Theoretically, this would divert rain off to the side instead of letting it soak your table.
The Tur brings up the opinion that rain-blocking Schach is problematic but doesn’t strictly forbid it.
Later authorities, like the Mishna Berura, say it’s best to be strict and ensure that rain can still enter.
Can You Nail Down the Schach So It Doesn’t Move?
Tosafot is pretty clear: if you permanently affix the Schach (whether by nailing it down, gluing it, or otherwise making it immovable), you’ve just built a regular roof. And a Sukkah must be temporary, which means Schach should be loosely placed – not secured like a permanent structure.
What Do Modern Rabbis Say?
So, is there any way to stay dry while staying halachically correct? Some modern rabbis have weighed in:
Rav Elyashiv and Rav Chaim Kanievsky reportedly gave their approval to a Sukkah design that used a double-layered gutter system – one layer of Schach on top, a gap, and another layer below, allowing rain to trickle through slowly. This means rain technically enters the Sukkah but doesn’t leave you drenched.
On the other hand, Rav Minchas Yitzchak and Lehoros Nassan weren’t impressed. They ruled that even this system didn’t meet the requirements of a proper Sukkah.
So, while some creative Sukkah engineers might find halachically acceptable solutions for a waterproof Sukkah, they aren’t universally accepted.
The Takeaway: To Get Wet or Not to Get Wet?
If you live somewhere where Sukkot weather is more monsoon than mild, here are your best (halachically approved) options for your waterproof Sukkah:
1. Pray for a dry forecast.
Hey, miracles happen. Who’s to say G-d won’t send a sunny Sukkot your way?
2. Use a tarp – but only temporarily.
It’s fine to protect the Sukkah while no one is inside, just don’t sit under it while eating.
3. Embrace the rain.
Invest in quick-dry clothing, waterproof seat cushions, and an excellent sense of humor.
And if the rain does come down hard enough that your soup turns into a small pond? Congratulations! You’re officially exempt from sitting in the Sukkah and can head inside, warm up, and enjoy the experience the way your ancestors did – by watching it all from the window while sipping a hot tea.
Final Thoughts: Is Rain a Blessing or a Curse?
Sukkot is all about remembering the temporary nature of life – and sometimes, that means dealing with a little discomfort. Rain might be frustrating, but it’s also a reminder that we’re at the mercy of G-d’s plan.
So, whether you’re sitting in a perfectly dry Sukkah (lucky you!) or one that’s slowly turning into an indoor pool, remember: Sukkot is about the mitzvah and the memories – not just the weather.
Chag Sameach! And may your Sukkah be just leaky enough to be kosher, but not enough to ruin dessert.
