Dear Rabbi Simon
The “rule of six” has knocked my Sukkot plans for 6. I have no means of building a sukkah in or around my flat, and sukkah invitations for Ruchie and me are very difficult to come by this year, due to the coronavirus crisis and the Rule of Six . And truthfully, I am uneasy about eating a meal with members of other households as well. What shall I do?
Yisrael
Dear Yisrael
Thank you for your very practical question. In the circumstances, I would suggest that, if possible, you briefly use a neighbour’s sukkah for kiddush and lechem mishneh, eating an amount of challah approximating a small roll. Have in mind to fulfil the mitzvah of eating in a sukkah (particularly on the first night). You should then recite birkat ha-mazon for your (Spartan) meal. You should be able to accomplish this in under 15 minutes. Then proceed home and eat your “unofficial” meal with your wife/family, avoiding food made from the 5 species of grain. (Rice is permitted.) As women are not obligated to eat in the sukkah, Ruchie should have lechem mishneh in the usual way. Note that you may make kiddush a second time for her, or if she is happy to do so, she can recite the kiddush for herself.
This approach should be followed on the occasions when you need to make kiddush, ie evening and morning first two days. (BTW, you are welcome to use the Kesher sukkah for this purpose every time. Bring two challah rolls. We can provide the beverage for kiddush.)
Hag same’ah and hopefully next year we will all be in a better place!
Rabbi Rashi Simon