Building a Fence Around One's Roof: Difference between revisions

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==Obligation==
==Obligation==
# There is a positive Torah command to build a fence on the roof of a house that’s used for living,<ref> Based on the pasuk Devarim 22:8 כִּ֤י תִבְנֶה֙ בַּ֣יִת חָדָ֔שׁ וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מַעֲקֶ֖ה לְגַגֶּ֑ךָ, Sefer Hachinnuch 546, Rambam Sefer Hamitzvot Aseh 184, Sefer HaMitzvot Hatatzar of the Chofetz Chaim 77 </ref> however, a building used for storage or animals doesn’t require a fence on the roof. <Ref> S”A C”M 427:1, Kitzur S"A 190:1 </ref>
# There is a positive Torah command to build a fence on the roof of a house that’s used for living,<ref> Based on the pasuk Devarim 22:8 כִּ֤י תִבְנֶה֙ בַּ֣יִת חָדָ֔שׁ וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מַעֲקֶ֖ה לְגַגֶּ֑ךָ, Sefer Hachinnuch 546, Rambam Sefer Hamitzvot Aseh 184, Sefer HaMitzvot Hatatzar of the Chofetz Chaim 77 </ref> however, a building used for storage or animals doesn’t require a fence on the roof. <Ref> S”A C”M 427:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1 </ref>
==Which Roofs?==
==Which Roofs?==
# Any flat roof requires a [[maakeh]] (a three-foot wall to keep  people from falling off), even if people only walk on the roof occasionally. <ref> Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:35 </ref>  
# Any flat roof requires a [[maakeh]] (a three-foot wall to keep  people from falling off), even if people only walk on the roof occasionally. <ref> Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:35 </ref>  
# Shuls and Batei Midrash are exempt from putting a fence on the roof since these buildings aren’t meant for living. <Ref> S”A C”M 427:3 based on gemara chullin 136a </ref>
# Shuls and Batei Midrash are exempt from putting a fence on the roof since these buildings aren’t meant for living. <Ref> S”A C”M 427:3 based on gemara chullin 136a </ref>
# The fence on the roof must be ten [[Tefachim]] (86 centimeters) and strong enough so it would prevent someone from falling. <Ref> S”A C”M 427:5, Kitzur S"A 190:1 </ref>
# The fence on the roof must be ten [[Tefachim]] (86 centimeters) and strong enough so it would prevent someone from falling. <Ref> S”A C”M 427:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1 </ref>
# Some say that there’s no obligation for a slanted roof. <Ref> See Mishneh Halachot 4:243, Yalkut Yosef (Chupah VeKiddushin pg 669) </ref>
# Some say that there’s no obligation for a slanted roof. <Ref> See Mishneh Halachot 4:243, Yalkut Yosef (Chupah VeKiddushin pg 669) </ref>
==Other Things==
==Other Things==
# If one has a pit in one's property one must erect a fence of ten [[Tefachim]] around it or cover it up so that someone doesn't fall in.<ref>Kitzur S"A 190:1</ref>
# If one has a pit in one's property one must erect a fence of ten [[Tefachim]] around it or cover it up so that someone doesn't fall in.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1</ref>
==Beracha==
==Beracha==
# The beracha of asher kidshanu bimitzvotav vitzivanu laasot [[maakeh]] is recited when building the fence. <ref> Rambam [[Berachot]] 11:8 </ref>  
# The beracha of asher kidshanu bimitzvotav vitzivanu laasot [[maakeh]] is recited when building the fence. <ref> Rambam [[Berachot]] 11:8 </ref>  

Revision as of 03:31, 7 January 2015

Obligation

  1. There is a positive Torah command to build a fence on the roof of a house that’s used for living,[1] however, a building used for storage or animals doesn’t require a fence on the roof. [2]

Which Roofs?

  1. Any flat roof requires a maakeh (a three-foot wall to keep people from falling off), even if people only walk on the roof occasionally. [3]
  2. Shuls and Batei Midrash are exempt from putting a fence on the roof since these buildings aren’t meant for living. [4]
  3. The fence on the roof must be ten Tefachim (86 centimeters) and strong enough so it would prevent someone from falling. [5]
  4. Some say that there’s no obligation for a slanted roof. [6]

Other Things

  1. If one has a pit in one's property one must erect a fence of ten Tefachim around it or cover it up so that someone doesn't fall in.[7]

Beracha

  1. The beracha of asher kidshanu bimitzvotav vitzivanu laasot maakeh is recited when building the fence. [8]

Sources

  1. Based on the pasuk Devarim 22:8 כִּ֤י תִבְנֶה֙ בַּ֣יִת חָדָ֔שׁ וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מַעֲקֶ֖ה לְגַגֶּ֑ךָ, Sefer Hachinnuch 546, Rambam Sefer Hamitzvot Aseh 184, Sefer HaMitzvot Hatatzar of the Chofetz Chaim 77
  2. S”A C”M 427:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1
  3. Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:35
  4. S”A C”M 427:3 based on gemara chullin 136a
  5. S”A C”M 427:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1
  6. See Mishneh Halachot 4:243, Yalkut Yosef (Chupah VeKiddushin pg 669)
  7. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 190:1
  8. Rambam Berachot 11:8