Daf Yomi - Sukkah 3 - Tableless Sukkah

The Gemora concludes that Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel argue in two cases. They argue as to what is the minimum size a sukkah can be to still be valid. Beis Shamai holds that the sukkah must be large enough to contain the person's head, a majority of his body and the table. Beis hillel maintains that it is sufficient even if it cannot contain the table. They also argue on a large sukkah that is next to a house and the table is in the house. Beis Shamai states that one does not fulfill his mitzva in this manner for there is a concern that he will be drawn after his table, which is in the house and Beis Hillel disagrees.

Tosfos concludes that the halacha is in accordance with Beis shamai regarding a small sukkah - it must be able to contain the table as well, however in a large sukkah the halacha is in accordance with Beis Hillel that the table is not required to be in the sukkah. The Rif and the Rambam disagree and maintain that the halacha in both cases is in accordance with Beis Shamai and the table must be in the sukkah.

The Pri Megadim 634:2 writes that if one ate in a sukkah where the table was in the house, he does not fulfill his mitzva at all, even min haTorah, for once the sages decreed that the table must be in the sukkah, this will prevent him from fulfilling his mitzva - period. He concludes that the person will have to recite another birchas shehechiyonu after he brings the table into the sukkah.