Is one obligated to build a fence for their roof nowadays?

 

One is obligated to build a fence that is strong enough to prevent someone from falling.

This is governed by both a a מצות עשה and לא תעשה, as it says in the Torah דברים כב, ח) ועשית מעקה לגגך and ולא תשים דמים בביתך).

This applies to any house that human beings dwell, except the synagogue.

Since our roofs are unused and hence no one will be in harms way, you do not need to build a fence.

If the roofs are used, one would need a fence. See also here:

מה הדין של מעקה? למה לדוגמא אין מעקה לבימת התפילות של הרבי?

 

אדה״ז הלכות שמירת גוף ונפש ובל תשחית א.

 

 

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