1. Building the Sukkah After Yom Kippur
In Shulchan Menachem chapter 309, the discussion centers on occupying oneself with building the sukkah immediately after Yom Kippur. The Shulchan Aruch brings down that as soon as Yom Kippur ends—on Motzei Yom Kippur—one should begin making the sukkah. This is a well-known custom, but in practice, as the Rebbe points out, most people do not actually start physically building their sukkah right after Yom Kippur. Instead, even talking about or planning for the sukkah is considered part of fulfilling this custom.
The Rebbe explains that building a sukkah involves more than just construction; it requires forethought and preparation. One must consider where to place it, how to build it, what materials are needed, and where to obtain them. All of this planning is included in the mitzvah of preparing for the sukkah.
2. Reasons for Immediate Involvement in Sukkah Preparation
The Alter Rebbe gives a reason for this practice: there is a general rule regarding mitzvos—mitzvah haba’ah l’yadcha al tachmitzenah—if a mitzvah comes to your hand, do not let it sit or delay it. The phrase “don’t make it chametz—leavened” means not to procrastinate when a mitzvah opportunity arises. As soon as Sukkos is approaching and you know you will need a sukkah, you should not delay but start immediately.
This reasoning is brought down in the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch. However, earlier sources such as the Ramoh offer an additional perspective: we begin with the sukkah so that we go directly from one mitzvah to another. Having just completed the mitzvah of Yom Kippur, we transition straight into preparing for Sukkos, maintaining a continuous flow of mitzvos.
3. Distinction Between Night and Day After Yom Kippur
There are thus two sections or rationales: one emphasizes moving from mitzvah to mitzvah, while the other focuses on not delaying any mitzvah that comes your way. The Rebbe clarifies how these apply at different times following Yom Kippur.
At night—immediately after Yom Kippur—once havdalah has been made, one can fulfill “going from one mitzvah to another” by starting to build or even just discussing plans for the sukkah. This approach highlights continuity between holy acts.
4. Timing and Encouragement for Mitzvah Performance
The principle of not delaying a mitzvah (al tachmitzenah) serves as general encouragement to perform all mitzvos promptly. According to the Alter Rebbe’s wording, this urgency begins in earnest on the morning after Yom Kippur—after leaving shul and finishing davening—that is when one should actively start working on their sukkah.
This explains why there are two different rationales: at night we focus on connecting consecutive mitzvos (from Yom Kippur straight into Sukkos), while during the day we emphasize promptness in performing any new mitzvah that presents itself.
This shiur discusses the practice, as brought in Shulchan Menachem chapter 309, of occupying oneself with building the sukkah immediately after Yom Kippur. The Shulchan Aruch states that as soon as Yom Kippur ends—on Motzaei Yom Kippur—one should begin making the sukkah. While this is a well-known custom, the Rebbe notes that most people do not actually start physically building their sukkah right after Yom Kippur. Instead, even talking about or planning for the sukkah is considered part of fulfilling this custom. The Rebbe explains that building a sukkah involves more than just construction; it requires forethought and preparation, such as considering where to place it, how to build it, what materials are needed, and where to obtain them. All of this planning is included in the mitzvah of preparing for the sukkah.
The Alter Rebbe gives a reason for this practice: there is a general rule regarding mitzvos—mitzvah haba’ah l’yadcha al tachmitzenah (if a mitzvah comes to your hand, do not let it sit or delay it). The phrase “don’t make it chametz (leavened)” means not to procrastinate when a mitzvah opportunity arises. As soon as Sukkos is approaching and you know you will need a sukkah, you should not delay but start immediately. This reasoning appears in the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch. Earlier sources such as the Ramoh offer an additional perspective: we begin with the sukkah so that we go directly from one mitzvah to another. Having just completed the mitzvah of Yom Kippur, we transition straight into preparing for Sukkos, maintaining a continuous flow of mitzvos.
There are thus two sections or rationales: one emphasizes moving from mitzvah to mitzvah, while the other focuses on not delaying any mitzvah that comes your way. The Rebbe clarifies how these apply at different times following Yom Kippur. At night—immediately after Yom Kippur—once havdalah has been made, one can fulfill “going from one mitzvah to another” by starting to build or even just discussing plans for the sukkah. This approach highlights continuity between holy acts.
The principle of not delaying a mitzvah (al tachmitzenah) serves as general encouragement to perform all mitzvos promptly. According to the Alter Rebbe’s wording, this urgency begins in earnest on the morning after Yom Kippur—after leaving shul and finishing davening—that is when one should actively start working on their sukkah. This explains why there are two different rationales: at night we focus on connecting consecutive mitzvos (from Yom Kippur straight into Sukkos), while during the day we emphasize promptness in performing any new mitzvah that presents itself.
Summary
This shiur teaches that both immediate action and thoughtful preparation are valued in fulfilling mitzvos—beginning with plans for the sukkah right after Yom Kippur connects us from one holy act to another and encourages promptness in all our service of G‑d.