6122 Real Rain Rabbinical Reasoning!
Q. Dear Rabbi, greetings. I live now in Manchester, UK, which is known for a really rainy weather, and Sukkot often requires a lot of covering and uncovering of the Sukkah with a waterproof cover. I have been wondering whether it is possible to find a plant with leaves that could be overlapped on a sloping frame in a similar layout to roof tiles so that the water would run off the lower end of the frame (possibly even into a gutter). Clearly there are a number of practical problems, including finding a suitable plant, finding a Halachically acceptable way to retain the structure without it blowing apart and possibly finding a way to stop it drying out too fast (especially with heating being needed), but are there any Halachic reasons why this wouldn't be allowed if the practicalities could be overcome?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a’s opinion is that a group of clear pictures and images as truly required, should be shown to a propitious and capable Posek that understands the exact conditions presented and can rule proper accordingly.
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Reviewed by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: October 11, 2026