The Rambam, in his Guide to the Perplexed, shares a real gem about Sukkot: it’s a holiday where we hit pause and soak in the beauty of Eretz Yisrael, the Holy Land. It’s like a built-in reminder to say “thanks, G-d!” for all the natural wonders around us. After Yom Kippur, when we temporarily check out of worldly matters, Sukkot rolls in to welcome us back to Earth with open arms, inviting us to reconnect with nature. And what better way to do that than by diving into the topic of Schach – the humble roof of the Sukkah – and how it ties into our modern environmental concerns ?
Can You Cut Schach from Fruit Trees?
Let’s start with the age-old question: Can you clip branches from fruit trees for your Sukkah? Rav Zvi Pesach Frank, a towering halachic authority (authority of Jewish law) of the 20th century, and former Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, tackled this very issue.
It all comes down to timing – when is it OK to chop off some branches from a fruit tree? The Torah (Deuteronomy 20:19-20) explicitly forbids cutting down fruit trees, even during times of war. But there are some exceptions. According to the Talmud, if the wood is more valuable than the fruit, or the tree is damaging other trees, it's a green light to chop (this is also backed by the Rambam’s rulings in Hilchot Melachim 6:8).
Cutting Down Trees for a Mitzvah
Now, what about cutting down fruit trees for the sake of a mitzvah ? The Talmud doesn’t spell it out clearly, but we get a hint from tractate Tamid 29b. The Mishna there says that wood from any tree can be used as fuel for the altar, except for olive trees and grapevines. The reason? One view is that these trees burn too quickly to create a proper fire for the altar.
The Be’er Sheva, as cited by the Mishneh Lamelech (7:3), wonders why the Talmud doesn’t mention the prohibition of cutting down fruit trees in this context. And the answer? Because for the sake of a mitzvah (like keeping the altar’s fire burning), cutting down fruit trees is permitted.
Rav Frank concludes that while this logic could apply to Schach, he’s a bit hesitant to apply it. Perhaps this is because of a passage in Tractate Bava Kama 91b, where Rav Chanina said his son died prematurely for cutting down a fig tree. Due to this, some authorities have been cautious, even when pruning fruit trees.
Schach from Public Lands: Play by the Rules
Some folks gather Schach from public lands, like forests or nature reserves. But hold your horses! Before you grab those branches, make sure to get the proper permits. The Talmud teaches us to follow the law of the land (Dinah DeMalchuta Dinah), and this applies here as well. The Torah commentator, the Rema, rules that governmental regulations – whether for the benefit of the leadership or the public – are halachically binding.
That means, if the local authorities (like Israel’s Nature Reserve Authority) have rules about cutting or trimming trees, we must follow them. Even though cutting non-fruit trees is less restricted, ignoring the law can still lead to problems. There’s even a question about whether you can say a bracha when sitting in a Sukkah built with Schach gathered illegally. A famous work of Jewish law, the Mishna Berura (649:1), reminds us that using stolen materials for mitzvot is a no-go. As the Talmud says, “One who steals wheat, bakes it into bread, and then wishes to make a blessing isn’t blessing G-d, but insulting Him. ”
So if you're thinking of heading to the nearest forest for some free Schach , pump the brakes! Those branches aren’t free for the taking. Respect for public land isn’t just a civic duty; it’s a halachic (Jewish law) one too. No one wants their Sukkah to be an accomplice to tree theft – especially not when the law (and local forest rangers) are involved. Make sure your Schach is as kosher as your kugel by sticking to the rules.
…but if you feel like ditching this year’s forest Schach hunt, why not just pick up a durable, reusable, certified Kosher l’Mehadrin bamboo Schach mat?
It’s More Than Just a Roof
Schach is more than just a bunch of leaves thrown together; it’s a symbolic covering that connects us to the spiritual as much as to the natural world. So, while you're figuring out what to use for your Schach, remember: it’s not just a roof – it's a reminder of the delicate balance between the physical and the metaphysical.
