Page 11 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

The Universality

of the Festival of Sukkot

n Zecharia’s prophecy (14), he to the celebration of Sukkot, beyond defenses, definitions and stereotypes,
describes a day when the Kingship commemorating the date of the war. prevent people from connecting with
Iof Hashem is revealed to the entire one another. So too, the feelings of
world. As a result, there is great turmoil At the inauguration of the First Beit haughtiness and abundance obstruct
in the world: G-d wages war against the HaMikdash, on Sukkot, Shlomo desig- G-d’s Kingship in the world and cause
nations, there is a great earthquake, a nated it as a place of prayer for all of the divisiveness among people.
spring bursts forth from Jerusalem to nations, not just Am Yisrael (Melachim I
the Dead Sea and there is a total eclipse 8:41-43). It appears it is no coincidence On Sukkot, everyone goes outside, and
of the celestial luminaries. The end that both Shlomo and Zecharia desig- all are equal in their humble dwelling.
result of this tremendous upheaval is, nated the Beit HaMikdash for a univer- As such, everyone can feel G-d’s Provi-
“And G-d shall become King over all sal purpose, which specifically revolves dence, and a sense of equality with their
the earth; on that day the L-rd shall be around the festival of Sukkot. fellow. It is precisely in this reality that
one, and His name one” (14:9). One of It is interesting to note that the mitzvot people are able to make room for one
the expressions of G-d’s Kingship in the connected to Sukkot do possess a uni- another in their hearts, and for G-d’s
world is that all the nations of the world versal element and meaning: presence among them. Humility, sim-
will also acknowledge and accept Him plicity, vulnerability and the feeling of
and they will all come to worship Him The Four Species represent the prayer impermanence allow people to connect,
in Jerusalem. for rain, which is a basic, existential need as well as allowing for G-d’s Kingship
for the entire world, not only for Am to be felt.
“And it will come to pass, that everyone Yisrael.
who is left of the nations who came up The festival of Sukkot is a holiday when
against Jerusalem, will go up every year The korbanot of the holiday are different we pray for all of the world’s existential
needs. It is a time we all unite under the
to prostrate themselves to the King, the from all the other festivals. On Sukkot,
L-rd of Hosts, and to celebrate the festi- there are a total of 70 offerings, sym- banner of humility and simplicity, a time
val of Sukkot” (14:16). Zecharia specifi- bolizing the 70 nations of the world. As we realize just how small we are com-
pared to the Creator of the Universe.
cally focuses on the festival of Sukkot as the Talmud states (Sukkah 55b): “Rabbi Sukkot is a festival in which it becomes
the time when the nations will come to Elazar said: These 70 bulls to what do
worship G-d. Why? they correspond? They correspond to possible for everyone on earth to unite
the 70 nations.” Rashi explains there: in serving G-d.
The Malbim states that “The Downfall “There are 70 bulls corresponding to the
of Gog will be on the festival of Sukkot, 70 nations of the world in order to atone
and they shall all go up to Jerusalem to for them, so that rain will fall in the
celebrate the festival, as a commemo- whole world, for we are judged regarding
ration of the miracle that occurred on rainfall on the festival of Sukkot.”
that day.”
Sitting in the sukkah symbolizes imper-
According to this, it is precisely the manence, vulnerability, and simplicity,
great downfall of the gentiles/enemies and thus can unite all human beings
of Israel in war that will bring those who around one common denominator.
are left to the understanding that G-d is During most of the year, one is locked
King. Therefore, they must celebrate on up in one’s own home, disconnected
that very day they come to this under- from others and wrapped up in one’s Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach
standing and revelation. However, it own definitions, impressions and and is Content Editor for the HaTanakh
would seem there is a deeper meaning sense of security. The walls, partitions, website.

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