Shalom U’vracha and A Gutten Erev Shabbos v’Yom Tov! We sincerely hope that everyone is feeling and doing well in all respects, bi’ruchniyus u’vigashmiyus, still uplifted and energized by an inspiring and meaningful Yom Kippur.

As we approach the first night of Succos with a storm, unfortunately, in the forecast, we would like to share with you a few brief halachos and pertinent guidelines (and recommend that you print out to consult on Shabbos/Yom Tov if necessary).

(Kiddush Levana reminder: Anyone who has not yet recited Kiddush Levana, may still say it, lichatchila all Thursday night and bi’dieved, all of Friday night – if there is a visible moon.)

Once a Succah is built to kosher standards—meaning it can withstand normal wind conditions—any material may be used to reinforce it against unusually strong winds. For example, if the wooden beams holding down the schach are sufficient for average weather, you can use plastic zip-ties as an extra precaution.

I. Rain and the FIRST NIGHT of Succos (Friday night, Leil Shabbos v’Yom Tov):

1) If it is cloudy and there is rain in the forecast- but it has not yet started to rain:
A. Everyone should make their way home quickly after Maariv and recite Kiddush right away in the Succah (anytime after 7:28pm, tzeis ha’kochavim).
B. Conclude Kiddush with the brachos of “lei’sheiv b’succah” and “she’he’chiyanu;” wash ne’tilas ya’dayim; then make ho’motzi in the Succah, and eat at least a ki’beitzah (two ounces) of challah.

2) If it already raining when one returns home:
A. Men should wait at least one hour for the rain to stop (up to two hours if and when circumstances allow) before making Kiddush. (While women may certainly wait, they are not required to since they are not obligated in the mitzvah of sitting in a Succah.)
HOWEVER: If waiting even one hour will create stress/tension/anxiety– or some of the people are very hungry or very tired and find it truly difficult to wait– especially if young children and/or elderly are present, then one need not wait as long. Rather, try to wait a short while, if possible, and then continue with “B.”
B. If the rain has not stopped by that time: one should make Kiddush in the Succah– with the bracha of “she’he’chiyanu,” but without the bracha of “lei’sheiv b’succah.” Wash ne’tilas ya’dayim and make “ha’motzi” (while having in mind to continue eating inside), and eat at least a ki’zayis (one ounce, the size of an olive/half an egg) in the Succah. One can then finish the Shabbos/Yom Tov meal and bentsch inside the home- but should make sure to eat at least a ki’zayis of challah inside as well. (One who has a shlak should ideally close the shlak and continue eating in the Succah while it is raining.)
C. If the rain stops while eating inside (and raindrops are not still falling aplenty from the s’chach– where they would ruin the food): everyone should return to the Succah, recite the bracha of “lei’sheiv b’succah,” and eat slightly more than a ki’beitzah of challah. Finish the meal in the Succah and bentsch.
D. If the rain stops after one has finished his entire meal inside and bentsched, he must return to the Succah, wash ne’tilas ya’dayim again; recite “ha’motzi” and “lei’sheiv b’succah;” eat at least a ki’beitzah of challah, and bentsch once again.
E. If the rain first stops after one has gone into bed, he is not required to get up again to return to eat in the Succah.

II. Rain and the SECOND NIGHT of Succos:

1) If it is cloudy and there is rain in the forecast- but it has not yet started to rain:
A. Everyone should make their way home quickly after Maariv and recite Kiddush right away in the Succah (anytime after 7:26pm, tzeis ha’kochavim).
B. Conclude Kiddush with reciting “she’he’chiyanu” and then “lei’sheiv b’succah.” (Note the reverse order from the first night– in accordance with the prevalent minhag per the Mishna Brurah.)

2) If it already raining when one returns home:
A. One should ideally wait a short amount of time for the rain to stop. (If possible, one should try to wait an hour; if one wishes, however, to start his meal inside right away, he may do so– especially if young children/elderly are present.)
B. If the rain continues: Recite Kiddush in the house, adding “she’he’chiyanu” but omitting “lei’sheiv b’succah.” Wash and begin the meal inside the house. If the rain stops before completing the meal, one should enter the Succah, recite the bracha of “lei’sheiv b’succah,” eat at least a ki’beitzah of challah, and finish the meal in the Succah and bentsch.
C. If the rain does not stop during the meal being eaten inside, then at some point before bentsching: go out to the Succah, eat at least a ki’zayis of challah in the rain- without the bracha of “lei’sheiv b’succah“- and then bentsch inside the Succah. (After eating a shiur in the Succah, one may opt instead to then eat more challah inside the home and bentsch there.)
D. and E.– Same as above (I- D, E).

III. Rain on ALL THE REMAINING NIGHTS (and all daytime meals, even on the first two days):

1) One need not wait at all for the rain to stop; he may begin the meal inside the home right away.
2) Once one began eating inside, he need not go outside to the Succah to finish- even if the rain stops at some point in the middle of his meal.

Ye’hi ratzon that the Ribbono Shel Olam allows us the opportunity to eat ALL our meals inside the Succah!

May we all be zocheh to a Chag Sameach, a healthy and happy and most meaningful Yom Tov up ahead IY”H.

Best regards to all and warmest wishes for a truly great Yom Tov and Kol Tuv tamid mi’kol li’beinu,

Rabbi Eytan Feiner
Rabbi Motti Neuburger