1,176. Using Bundles as Schach

Hilchos Shofar, Succah v’Lulav 5:9

If a succah was made for any purpose at all, even not for purposes of the mitzvah, if it was built in accordance with the law, it is kosher. It must, however, have been made for the purpose of providing shade. This includes booths that were made for the benefit of non-Jews, booths that were made to shelter animals, etc. However, if a succah came into being on its own, it is invalid because it was not made to provide shade. Similarly, if a person hollows a space in a heap of produce and makes a succah, it is no succah at all because the produce wasn’t piled for this purpose. Therefore, if a person were to make a space one handbreadth high (about 3”) and seven handbreadths by seven handbreadths in area (about 21”x21”) for the purpose of a succah, after which he hollows it out until it reaches the height of ten handbreadths (about 30”), it is valid because the schach was put there for the purpose of providing shade.

Hilchos Shofar, Succah v’Lulav 5:10

Bundles of straw, wood or reeds may not be used as schach. This is a preventive measure out of concern that one might place such things on his roof to dry and then decide to use them for a succah. Since he didn’t put the schach there to provide shade, it’s like a succah that came about on its own. If the bundles are untied, they may be used for schach. The definition of a bundle is at least 25 pieces.