Sukkoth

SUKKOTH

262. A patient, even if only suffering from discomfort (such as a mild headache or irritation in the eye), and his attendants, are exempt from the mitzvah of sukkah even on the first night[432] if sitting in the sukkah will cause him added discomfort[433]. If later, on the first night, he recovers from his illness, but was unable to eat in the sukkah before midnight, he must recite kiddush after midnight, but does not recite the blessing "לישב בסוכה" unless he eats more than 54gm of bread[434].

263. A hospitalized patient is exempt from the mitzvah of sukkah unless there is a sukkah on the premises, and eating there in no way affects his well-being[435].

264. The blessing of "לישב בסוכה" is recited on the first night (until midnight) even for 27gm of bread (eaten within 2-4 minutes), but preferably for 54gm bread. Throughout the remaining days of the Festival one may only eat less than 54gm of bread outside the sukkah (unless illness prevents him from eating there)[436].

265. The mitzvah of sukkah is not complied with on the first night by consuming cake; bread is required[437].

266. A woman is exempt from the mitzvah of sukkah[438].

267. One may not eat until he has performed the mitzvah of lulav[439]. However, if a lulav becomes available only later in the day and the patient finds it difficult to fast until then, he may eat after having recited the shacharith prayer, or at least the blessings of the Torah, the first paragraph of the shema and, on the Festival day, kiddush[440].

268. If the patient was unable to hear or recite kiddush the first night and also did not recite the shehecheyanu blessing, or forgot to do so, he recites the blessing – in Israel – whenever he can, even during chol hamoed; and in the Diaspora – during the first day. If he did not recite the blessing on the second night (in the Diaspora) it should be recited whenever he can afterwards, even during chol hamoed[441].

 

---

[432] Orach Chayyim 640:3.

[433] Mishnah Berurah 640:9. See Kaf ha-Chayyim 640:15.

[434] Mishnah Berurah 639:26.

[435] Orach Chayyim 640:3. See Mishnah Berurah 640:11.

[436] Mishnah Berurah 639:22.

[437] Mishnah Berurah 639:21.

[438] Orach Chayyim 640:1. Regarding the blessing "leisheiv ba-sukkah," see the details in Mishnah Berurah 640:1 and Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 48:8.

[439] Magen Avraham 692:7; Mishnah Berurah 692:15.

[440] See Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 40:45.

[441] Mishnah Berurah 673:1.