Sukkah Walls and Fabric: What Makes Sukkah Walls Kosher?

When building a sukkah, most people focus first on the frame and the schach. But the walls of the sukkah are just as important. A sukkah needs proper walls to be halachically valid, and there are several important details to know before setting it up.

This guide gives a simple overview of common sukkah wall questions. For specific halachic situations, always ask your rabbi.

How many walls does a sukkah need?

A sukkah needs at least three walls.

Ideally, two of the walls should be complete, and the third wall must meet the minimum halachic size. In many cases, the third wall can be shorter than a full wall, but because these laws can be detailed, many people are careful to build full walls on all sides.

It is also important that at least two of the walls connect properly at a corner. If the walls are too far apart, the sukkah may not be valid.

What is the minimum wall height?

The walls of a sukkah must be at least ten tefachim high. In practical terms, this is commonly measured as about 80 cm according to the more lenient opinion, and closer to 1 meter according to the stricter opinion.

The walls do not need to reach all the way up to the schach, as long as they meet the minimum height and are positioned correctly under the schach.

The walls also cannot be too high off the ground. If there is too much open space between the bottom of the wall and the ground, the wall may not count halachically.

Can the walls be made with gaps?

In some cases, sukkah walls can be made using the halachic concept of lavud. Lavud means that small gaps are treated as closed when the spaces are less than three tefachim.

This is why some sukkahs use straps, poles, or boards placed close together. When installed correctly, they can help create a valid wall structure.

SukkahFlex includes Lavud straps that are designed to help form the halachic wall structure when used according to the setup instructions. The straps should be placed properly and kept tight.

Can fabric walls be used for a sukkah?

Fabric walls can be used for a sukkah, but there is an important condition: the walls must be able to stand in a normal wind.

A wall that moves too much, comes loose, or cannot remain in place may not count as a proper sukkah wall. That is why fabric should be secured well to the frame.

SukkahFlex fabric is designed to attach to the sukkah frame so that the walls stay in place during normal use. For the best result, make sure the fabric is attached tightly and the frame is properly secured.

What materials can sukkah walls be made from?

Sukkah walls can be made from many types of materials, including fabric, wood, metal, or other sturdy materials, as long as they can stand properly in normal wind.

However, one should avoid using materials with a bad smell, because they may make it uncomfortable to sit in the sukkah.

Should the walls be built before the schach?

Yes. The proper way to build a sukkah is to set up the walls first and then place the schach on top.

If the schach was placed before the walls, there may be a halachic issue. In that case, ask a rabbi what should be done.

Final thoughts

A sukkah is more than a temporary outdoor structure. It needs to be built in a way that follows the halachos of sukkah walls, schach, and placement.

With SukkahFlex, the goal is to make setup easier while still giving you the tools needed for a proper sukkah setup. Follow the included instructions carefully, install the Lavud straps properly, and ask a rabbi whenever your setup has a unique halachic question.