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1) If one is unable to build a Sukkah alone and has someone else do it for them, it is proper to have the one building it to at least leave a small amount of S'chach for the owner of the Sukkah to put up by himself. (Kaf HaChaim Siman 625:11)
Likewise, it is good to be personally involved in the set up and decorating of the Sukkah. (See Sefer Elef Hamagen (The Mateh Efraim) Siman 626-644:4)
When one appoints
someone else to build their Sukkah, it is proper to say to them " You are my Shaliach Mitzvah, my messenger to do this Mitzvah of putting up my Sukkah and S'chach L'Shem Mitzvah, for the purpose and intent of performing the Mitzvah of sitting in the Sukkah" (Kaf HaChaim ibid. )
One should ideally not have his Sukkah built by a non Jew, especially the laying of the S'chach. (Chida in Sefer Kaf Achas Siman 24:2. See also Elef Hamagen ibid.)
2) The Mitzvah of building a Sukkah is in it of itself a [part of the] Mitzvah and not only a means by which to be able to sit in the Sukkah.
Rav Reuven Margolis Zatzal in his Sefer Nefesh Chaya (Siman 625:1) writes that even one who cannot sit in the Sukkah (due to illness or other valid Halachic reason) and has no male family members that are required to sit in the Sukkah, still should have a Sukkah built to at least perform the mitzvah of "Building" a Sukkah! (He brings as a proof to this ruling a Gemara in Makos 8a and a Gemara in Shavuos 29a and also a Talmud Yerushalmi Brachos Peek 9:3 where the Gemara says to recite a blessing on the "Building of a Sukkah".)
He goes so far as to say that this person would recite a "Shehechiyanu" when assisting in the building of this Sukkah as he won't be reciting it when sitting in it! Although we do not rule like the Nefesh Chaya in regard to this halacha, it still helps us understand the importance of being involved in the building of a Sukkah. (See Taz to Siman 641. As with all aspects of Halacha, a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'ma'aseh)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
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Reader's Question:
What are you allowed to do with regards to writing on Chol Hamoed. what is the source?
Is painting/ drawing for a homework considered writing also?
Answer:
The best thing is not to write anything that isn't absolutely necessary (e.g. will lose money if it isn't written, needed for Yom Tov,or writing Torah thoughts etc.) and even then, if possible to do so with a shinui-in a different manner than usual (left hand, holding the pen differently etc.)
Regarding writing professionally, such as calligraphy, Safrus, or painting it is much more stringent than regular writing, and is best to be avoided.
Based on Shulchan Aruch,Rama and Mishna Berura Orach Chaim beginning of Siman 545.
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