It is permitted to drive on Sukkot?
Answer:
It is not permitted to drive on Yom Tov, including of course Sukkos.
The reason for this is that driving involves combustion, and combustion is forbidden on Yom Tov, on which it is only permitted to transfer one flame to for another.
However, it appears that unlike Shabbos, driving on Yom Tov will involve a rabbinic prohibition alone, and not a Torah prohibition, because based on a number of Rishonim it emerges that the prohibition of kindling a fire on Yom Tov is rabbinic (see Rambam, Yom Tov 4:1; Beis Yosef, Orach Chaim 502).
Likewise, there is no direct act of extinguishing a fire (which is a Torah prohibition even on Yom Tov), because the fires are extinguished after the ignition key is turned, which cuts off the electric circuit that combustion depends on. This is an indirect act of extinguishing, and because there is no direct act a Torah prohibition is not involved.
This distinction can have possible ramifications for asking a non-Jew to drive on Yom Tov.
Best wishes.
Driving or using electricity on the Jewish holidays and Shabbat would be per your level of observance. We can be Reform Conservative or Orthodox and still be able to enjoy the holiday. If we respect those who are observant and they can respect those who are not as observant and ask questions such as if we drove to Shul then we can focus on the true meaning of the holiday.
Just because I use a computer or ride in a car on Shabbat or call my friends and relatives on the phone does not make me less Jewish. I love spending time with my friends and family during the holidays,attending services at Shul,enjoying picnics in nature and taking trips during the holiday and cooking special meals.
I’m proud of my religion and nobody can tell me I must become Orthodox to be a Jew. Again I respect those who are observant but I make my own personal decisions on what observances I will follow. I love Israel and pray for peace.
Hag Sukkoth Sameach
Daniel
yes, reform,conservative and orthodox can all “enjoy the holiday”, so can muslims
every Jew is deserving of respect regardless of his level of observance, as is every human being
being a non observant Jew does not make you less “Jewish” just not an observant Jew
spending time with family, attending services/memorial/gatherings, enjoying outings and festive meals are all important parts of Jewish holidays, they are also important parts of the 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend
my point is that Torah Judaism teaches that Jewish holidays are not just about having nice quality time with a Jewish flavor, rather they are primarily one of the commandments of G-d and come with a set of rules how to Serve Him on this day, while they are days of great enjoyment they are also days of great spiritual elevation, which is obtained by the primary description the Torah describes many times when describing these days – refraining from “melacha” a set of creative acts described at length in the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch. Like most things of value in life and certainly relationships, obtaining a meaningful connection to Torah, Judaism and G-d, requires responsibility, commitment and some level of sacrifice. the outings, family time and festive meals are the icing on the cake of Jewish holidays, the Torah study, special mitzvah observance, and self control are their heart and soul.
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