Holidays
Special Chair for the Ushpizin
Question
In the name of Heaven, what does halacha say about a chair for the ushpizin? Can a small table in a corner of the sukkah that is used for siddurim also serve for the ushpizin? Is a small chair on the side sufficient? [Because of lack of space and crowding in the sukkah.] What is placed on the chair? Which books?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Peace and blessings,
Some have the custom of designating an ornate chair in the sukkah in honor of the ushpizin (see the Chida in Mora BeEtzba, letter 289; Kaf HaChaim, siman 639, letter 8; and in Chazon Ovadia, Sukkot, pages 214-215), but there is no obligation to conduct oneself this way. In Sefer Keter Shem Tov, part 7 (page 13), it is written that the custom is to prepare in the sukkah a special chair covered with an embroidered cloth, and to place on it books of Tanach and siddurim. It is a mitzvah for the father to instruct his sons not to use this chair, since it was prepared for the seating of the ushpizin. And the custom on all the nights of the festival, before their entrance into the sukkah, is that the father says, "Ascend, exalted and holy ushpizin, to dwell in the shade of perfect faith, in the shade of Hashem." This custom cannot be fulfilled with a table. Ideally, it should be a respected chair. One may place Tanach books and the like on it, as above.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
