Question:
Hi,
I live on the third floor of an apartment building, but built my sukka in the parking lot. I have 2 questions:
1 – Can I wash before kiddush, so I don’t have to go up and down again?
2 – If I am embarrassed to walk through the building in my pajamas, am I obligated to sleep in the sukka?
Thank you.
Answer:
1. The best thing would be for you to bring some water downstairs, the same way you will bring all the other things that you need for the meal downstairs to save yourself the bother of going up and down again. If this is too difficult for you, you can wash beforehand, and then make kiddush and eating hamotzei afterwards. Everyone should be careful though not to talk out unnecessarily between washing and eating the hamotzei.
2. The heter of mitztaer is only if the actual sitting or sleeping in the succah is uncomfortable, but not the getting to and from the succah. You can change into pajamas inside the succah without any halachic issues.
Have a good Yom Tov
Sources:
1. O:CH 271-12, M:B 271-62.
2. Rashi Succah 26a, D:H Mitztaer
