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Leaves that Fall on Sechach

If nature blew schach on my sukkah, do I have a problem of ta’aseh velo min ha-asui?

Answer:

Sechach that falls on one’s Sukkah is not considered kosher sechach, because of the problem of taaseh velo min ha-asui.

However, if it is only a small volume of leaves, and it is mixed in with your sechach, it will not constitute a problem, because the majority of the sechach is kosher.

To avoid the problem altogether, you should slightly move the sechach (e.g. raising it up and allowing it to drop) with the intent for the Succah to be kosher. This will render the fallen leaves part of the kosher sechach.

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for your prompt reply. Do you have sources to back up your psak? Thank you,I need to prove to someone.

    1. The source for the halachos mentioned is the Shulchan Aruch in siman 626 (at the beginning), and the Mishnah Berurah 9, 12. A minority of sechach pasul (the case of the Shulchan Aruch is a tree above the Succah; while the leaves are still connected to the tree it is possible that there is no bittul, but once cut, there is a bittul, even though the sechach remains ta’aseh velo min ha-asui).
      In order to be machshir the sechach, it must be raised a little and dropped back into place. See Shulchan Aruch Harav (629:28) who clarifies that it is sufficient to raise the sechach “a little” for this purpose.

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