Last night, in advance of Sukkot, I remembered something from Daf Yomi, Masechet Sukah. It was one of those strange discussions that you find in the Talmud, in this case, discussing different options for what could be a kosher sukkah. There were the more traditional instructions about not placing a sukkah under a tree plus the number of walls a sukkah might need. Then the rabbis tiptoe into a stranger zone, like wondering whether one can construct a sukkah on a ship or on the back of a camel. Of course, this had practical ramifications for those traveling on the holiday, and really aren't all that silly, but still I thought that these odd sukkot contructions might be a wonderful topic for a children's book, so you are seeing a first draft here!
In addition to this children's story, I'm including a second poem here from a few years ago. It brings me good memories, and I hope it does the same for you.
In this time of uncertainty, a theme which a sukkah illustrates in such a unique way through its fragile structure, may this holiday bring you a double dose of joy, as Simcha is mentioned twice in Sukkot's description in Torah.
You deserve a double dose of joy!
Chag Sameach,
Leann
Oh, Build Me a Sukkah!
Oh, build me a sukkah on the deck of a rocking and rolling ship, so our guests will sway from side to side as they try in vain to sip their wine. Their mouths will chase after their wandering cups as the wine sloshes from their hands, staining their fine Yom Tov clothes with rosy red blossoms!
Image created by Ai.
Oh, build me a sukkah on the tippety top of a tree! We'll make the table out of a branch and sparrows will fly above us. You'll bring up the pot of chicken soup and I will bring up the rest. Dad will hoist up bubby and zayde, too! When we reach the top we will sip soup while watching the stars twinkle in the sky through the s'chach. Our dog will look up at us with wonder and bark to come up, too!
Image created by Ai.
Oh, build me a sukkah on either side of a tall camel’s humps. We'll beg the camel to travel from here to there and back again while we bounce in the air and feast on pretzels and pomegranates.
Image created by Ai
Make my sukkah high as a house, but not too high as we get a
crick in our necks when we look up to see the stars!
Image created by Ai
Make my sukkah as cozy and compact as a rabbits den, so I’d have to crawl in and my head would almost poke through between the pine boughs on the roof. I would be like Alice in Sukkahland as I drink tea from tiny thimble cups.
From Neot Kedumim found on Sefaria.
Oh, build me a sukkah with an elephant serving as a wall. When the autumn winds blow the elephant wall surely won’t fall and we can feed him peanuts and fallen leaves as we crowd in around the table.
(Image created by Ai)
Oh, build me a sukkah. Not too big and not too small.
Not too fancy and not too simple. Not on top of a tree and not on a the back of a camel. Not even on a boat, although that might be fun.
Make my sukkah be just right with openings for others to squeeze in and sch'ach that opens to the sky above as the moon glows over our upturned faces.
Oh, build me a sukkah!
Image taken from Chabad.org. https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/2326340/jewish/Pedi-Sukkahs-Get-in-Gear-for-the-Holiday.htm
Sources
אוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי גָּמָל כּוּ׳. מַתְנִיתִין מַנִּי — רַבִּי מֵאִיר הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא: הָעוֹשֶׂה סוּכָּתוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי בְּהֵמָה — רַבִּי מֵאִיר מַכְשִׁיר, וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה פּוֹסֵל. מַאי טַעְמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה? אָמַר קְרָא: ״חַג הַסּוּכּוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה לְךָ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים״. סוּכָּה הָרְאוּיָה לְשִׁבְעָה — שְׁמָהּ סוּכָּה. סוּכָּה שֶׁאֵינָהּ רְאוּיָה לְשִׁבְעָה — לֹא שְׁמָהּ סוּכָּה.
§ The mishna continues: Or if one establishes his sukka atop a camel, the sukka is fit. The Gemara asks: Who is the tanna of the mishna? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, as it is taught in a baraita: In the case of one who establishes his sukka atop an animal, Rabbi Meir deems it fit and Rabbi Yehuda deems it unfit. The Gemara asks: What is the rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda? The Gemara answers that it is as the verse states: “You shall prepare for yourself the festival of Sukkot for seven days” (Deuteronomy 16:13), from which Rabbi Yehuda derives: A sukka that is suitable for seven days is called a sukka, while a sukka that is not suitable for seven days is not called a sukka. It is prohibited to climb upon an animal on the first day of the festival of Sukkot, and therefore a sukka atop an animal is unfit, as it cannot be used all seven days.
(ג) העושה סכתו בראש העגלה או בראש הספינה, כשרה, ועולין לה ביום טוב.בראש האילן או על גבי גמל, כשרה, ואין עולין לה ביום טוב.שתים באילן ואחת בידי אדם, או שתים בידי אדם ואחת באילן, כשרה, ואין עולין לה ביום טוב.שלש בידי אדם ואחת באילן, כשרה, ועולין לה ביום טוב.זה הכלל , כל שנטל האילז ויכולה לעמוד בפני עצמה, כשרה, ועולין לה ביום טוב.
(3) If a man constructs his sukkah on the top of a wagon, or on a vessel, it is valid, and he may ascend thereto on the festival. If he has constructed the succah on the top of a tree, or on the back of a camel, it is valid; but he must not ascend thereto on the festival. [If] two [side walls of the succah are formed] by a tree, and one by human hands, or two [are formed] by human hands, and one by a tree, the succah is valid, but he must not ascend thereto on the festival. If three [side walls] are formed by human hands, and the fourth by a tree, the succah is valid, and he may ascend thereto on the festival. This is the rule, Whenever the succah can stand by itself, even should the tree [which partly supports it] be removed, the succah is valid, and it is lawful to ascend thereto on the festival.
Mishnah Sukkah 1:1
(1) A sukka, i.e., its roofing, which is the main and most crucial element of the mitzva, that is more than twenty cubits high is unfit. Rabbi Yehuda deems it fit. Similarly, a sukka that is not even ten handbreadths high, and one that does not have three walls, and one whose sunlight that passes through its roofing is greater than its shade are unfit.
Mishnah Sukkah 1:2
(2) One who makes his sukkah beneath a tree, it is as though he made it inside a house [and is invalid]. Regarding a sukkah on top of a sukkah, the top one is valid, and the bottom one invalid.
Build me a Sukkah brought the widest smile to my face. I never knew about the camel...its as if Gd is saying .....build it,just build it almost anywhere..in order to take part in rejoicing in our freedom after Egypt.