[Avodah] more on schach

[Saul.Z.Newman at kp.org]

http://www.star-k.org/cons-schachmats_sourcehandout.pdf 
http://www.star-k.org/cons-seasonal-schach.htm 


back
Guide to Star-K Certified Schach

The Star-K currently certifies schach made from bamboo slats held together 
with monofilament type cord for use during Sukkos. The following is an 
explanation of the psak of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann regarding this item:

In Hilchos Sukkah (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 629:1) it is written that 
schach can not consist of something that is ?mekabel tumah? (something 
that has the ability to become ritually impure). It is for this reason 
that bamboo carpet mats cannot be used for schach as they are mekabel 
tumah. All Star-K certified schach is not made to sit or walk on and is 
therefore not mekabel tumah.

In addition, l?chatchila, kosher schach may not be supported by anything 
which is mekabel tumah (see Rama O.C. 629:7). According to the opinion of 
Rashi (as brought in Shaar Hatziyun 629:20) spun or woven threads (e.g. 
string, yarn) are mekabel tumah. Rav Moshe Feinstein states (Igros Moshe, 
O.C. 1:177) based on a Mishna, if something which is mekabel tumah is used 
to hold wooden slats together, the slats themselves are also mekabel tumah
and are no longer kosher for schach use. Therefore, Rav Moshe Feinstein 
explains that wooden venetian blinds held together with cloth tape or 
string are not kosher for schach. It follows that according to Rashi 
bamboo slats held together by multi-filament cord (i.e. it is braided or 
twisted) are also not kosher for schach (even if they are not made to sit 
or walk on).

However, monofilament (commonly used for fishing line) is not woven or 
spun material. Therefore, it is not mekabel tumah and may be used to hold 
bamboo slats together. All Star-K certified bamboo schach is held together 
with monofilament cord.


When placing the schach mat on the Sukkah - The following guidelines 
should be followed:

1.      The bamboo slats should be resting perpendicular to the beams and 
walls upon which they are set.

The reason is as follows: If the slats are resting parallel to the walls 
and beams upon which they are set, the middle slats will be suspended only 
by the monofilament. One may not suspend schach with non-schach material. 
Although monofilament is notmekabel tumah and will not invalidate kosher 
schach, it cannot serve as schach and cannot support the schach (see B?aer 
Haytav 629:8).

2.      If a normal prevailing wind (ruach metzuya) can blow the schach
 off the sukkah, one may not tie the schach down to hold it in place. The 
reason is that an item which is not kosher for schach (e.g. string) may 
not be used to hold down kosher schach. Instead, one must place a wooden 
beam (e.g. 2x4) on top of the schach which is resting on the walls thereby 
sandwiching the schach between the beam and the top of the walls. This 
beam should be placed perpendicular to the bamboo sticks, so that the beam 
would hold down the sticks without the presence of the fishing wire. Once 
this is done, one may then tie a string around the schach to anchor and 
protect it from falling off in a gusting wind (ruach she'ayna metzuya).

3.      As with all schach, Star-K certified schach may also not be placed 
directly on top of metal. If one has a metal frame one should cover the 
frame with wooden slats and place the schach on top of the these slats.


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.aishdas.org/pipermail/avodah-aishdas.org/attachments/20111011/e328d781/attachment.htm>