Seeing Stars Through Your Schach – Is It A Must?

Ah, Sukkot – the holiday where we swap our comfy homes for a charming, leafy hut known as a “Sukkah.” But have you ever wondered why your Schach (Sukkah roof) should let you peek at the stars? And what's up with those super-thick leafy Schach some folks use? Is that allowed? Let's dive into this starry tale and some practical laws!

First, a bit of backstory. The Torah, in Leviticus 23:42–43, commands us: “For a seven-day period you shall live in booths ... so that your [ensuing] generations should know that I had the children of Israel live in booths when I took them out of the land of Egypt. I am the L‑rd, your G‑d.”

After escaping Egypt, our ancestors spent 40 years wandering the desert. During this epic journey, G‑d provided miraculous  “clouds of glory,”  to shield them from desert dangers and discomforts. Fast forward to today, and we commemorate this divine protection by staying in our very own Sukkahs (either pre-fab or DIY ) for the Sukkot holiday.

For more on the age-old pre-fab Vs. DIY Sukkah debate, read our article on “Building Your Sukkah.”

Now, let’s talk Schach – again, that's the fancy word for your Sukkah’s roof. The Talmud tells us that your it should be dense enough to provide more shade than sun. If it’s too sparse, it’s a no-go for Kosher Schach status. And there are a few more requirements for it to be Kosher too:

• Earthy Origins: Schach material must have grown from the ground. No pre-cut lumber or fancy store-bought sticks will do! Think freshly fallen branches, not a perfectly sanded dowel.

• Detached and Independent: Like a courageous explorer, our material needs to be free from its parent plant. No leaves still clinging to a tree trunk allowed.

• Natural and Unrefined: Schach material should not be susceptible to tum’ah – ritual impurity. It should be unprocessed, not fashioned into a tool or shouldn’t be anything edible, such as fruits. So, forget items crafted for a specific purpose (like a spoon) or anything edible that might tempt a hungry squirrel (like an apple). Think palm fronds or handy  OU Certified Kosher Mehadrin  Schach bamboo mats.

On top of these requirements, the Jerusalem Talmud adds another twist: Ideally, you shouldn't go overboard with the greenery. You should still be able to see the bigger stars through your Schach at night. But why? Well, because it turns out, a bit of good old fashioned stargazing reminds us of the majesty and awesomeness of the Creator.

Admittedly, though, in the jungle of Kosher Schach requirements, you might be wondering which type of Schach is right for you. So whether you’re channeling your inner Bear Grylls and counting palm fronds or are eyeing a  bamboo mat,  our handy “Guide to Kosher Schach this Sukkot” has got your back.

Rabbi Joseph Teomim (d. 1792) beautifully explains that seeing the heavens and the stars makes us appreciate the grandeur of G‑d's creation. In fact, King David captured this feeling perfectly in Psalms 8:4–5: “When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars that You have established, what is man that You should remember him , and the son of man that You should be mindful of him?”

So, what’s the sweet spot for your Schach? Make it thick enough to keep things shady, but not so dense that you can't see the stars. And remember, if you love a thick leafy roof, that’s fine – just leave a small part clear for some celestial sightseeing!