Sukkos: Rain on the First Night
- In Other series
AI summary (may contain mistakes)
Is the first-night kezayis in the sukkah exempt when it rains? The Rosh holds the mitztaer exemption does not apply that night, though other Rishonim and the Mechaber disagree, so the night is planned around both views and around the brachos. After the second night and the lulav comparison, the Vilna Gaon reads the Mishnah's mashal of rain as Hashem refusing to sweeten the din. The Vilna Gaon also ties Succos to the ananei hakavod returning after the Chet HaEgel, a sign of forgiveness.
Key points
- The Rosh holds the mitztaer exemption does not cover the first-night kezayis, even in rain.
- With other Rishonim and the Mechaber against the Rosh, leishev basukkah is left out in the rain.
- A possible extra shehechiyanu, a bracha she'eina tzricha, seems to be what bothers the Rama here.
- Unlike lulav, sukkah gets shehechiyanu the second night, since it covers the chag as well.
- For the Vilna Gaon, rain on Succos means Hashem refuses to let the din be diluted.
