I have just completed building my first succah in Eretz Yisrael. I feel proud to share this mitzvah with my 3 daughters. Is it permitted to hand fresh fruit as decoration?

The Shlchan Aruch 638:2 states: Likewise, when food or drink has been hung in the sukkah in order to decorate it, one is forbidden to benefit from it during the entire eight days, even if it fell down.(On Yom Tov and Shabbos it is forbidden to handle it, as it is muktzeh.) If one stipulated over it at the time that he hung it and said, "I am not relinquishing it at any time during beyn ha-shemashos (of the eight days) he may benefit from it whenever he wishes. For in view of this he will not have set it side and therefore the holiness of the sukkah will not have settled upon it and it is not consideredlike the sukkah. This is the case only if one made the stipulation with that wording. However, if one said, "I stipulate that I will eat them when they fall," this is of no use. If one said, "I stipulate that I will eat them when I wish," this helps, as beyn ha-shemashos is also included in the expression "when I wish". Gloss: One must make the stipulation before the first beyn ha-shemashos , which falls at the inception of the festival.There are Acharonim who write that nowadays it is not the custom to stipulate. This is how one should act regarding the decorations that hang from the roofing. However, regarding the decorations that one puts on the walls, such as pictorial cloths, it is the custom to move them to protect them from the rain, even without having made a stipulation. This is because there are authorities who are of the opinion that even the walls themselves are not forbidden and , therefore, their decorations are certainly not forbidden. Nevertheless, it is desirable to make a stipulation over them. If one roofed with a myrtle branch or hung an esrog in the sukkah for decoration it is permitted to smell it. This is because one does not set them aside from being smelt.One must only take care not to touch them, as they are forbidden to be handled. There are authorities who forbid smelling in the case of a myrtle branch, in conformance with what is explained below in Sec. 653. An esrog which was hung in the sukkah for decoration may be used on Chol Ha-Mo'ed for the mitzvah of taking the four species. (Beyur Halachah)


The Mishnah Berurah in 638:11 states: If one knows that the children will eat from the food or drink it is better not to hang it. They will snap the string and thus come to profane Shabbos or Yom Tov because of it and, in addition, they may come to eat it. On the other hand, if one is able to hang it at a height where the children are unable to reach it or if one does not have children, it is a mitzvah for him to hang decorations in the sukkah. [E.R. in the name of the S.Ch., Sec. 263.] The Shelah also writes that it is proper to beautify the sukkah with draperies and sheets and to hang choice fruit in it.

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Hi I have this interesting idea to make a University Sukkoh. What I mean by this is have a small one created so that passing students who are hungry could eat within this. I felt it might be good for Frum students. What do you think of the idea and would it work?

I couldn't do it now,but maybee something to think about next year.

Oh would it be allowed by din?

Its a great idea! An it is is a big thing to have quests at your sukkah. Just think how many guests you would have.

What are the limits on what may be used to decorate the Sukkah? I have seen very old drawings showing lovely hangings and even hanging candle lights. But I have never seen such things is real life.. It always seems curious to me that we don't eat Matza on Sukkot.

Thank you again Rabbi Mitterhoff. I just just thinking maybee a small kosher stall next to the Sukkah. So people could have something to eat in the sukkah. Oh by the way Wish everyne a lovely Sukkot!

I'm off to prepare for tonight and Shabbos. so Shabbat Shalom as well!!!!