Dear Rabbi Simon
This may be a stupid question but is the act of taking down the Sukkah also a mitzva or at least part of it?
Suki
Dear Suki
Dismantling the Sukkah would have the status of הכשר מצוה (preparatory to a mitzvah) if taking it down is necessary to enable one to fulfil the mitzvah effectively next year. This can also be seen as an extension of the brief but poignant gesture of bidding farewell to the Sukkah (see A/S Siddur p. 724). Shel”ah praises those who even kiss the walls of the Sukkah “goodbye”. Taking down the Sukkah respectfully can be seen as part of this.
Best wishes.
Rabbi Rashi Simon