Page 33 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

HOLIDAY READING

Mrs. Michal Horowitz

The Special Joy of Sukkot

e are uniquely commanded G-d is called הנועמ, an abode (Devarim Hence, we deduce from here that the
to be beSimcha, to rejoice 33:27). The only home where man mitzvah of simchat yomtov on Sukkot
Wand to be happy on Chag can find security is in the Ribono Shel is greater than the mitzvah of taking
HaSukkot. When the sukkah goes up, Olam, the Master of the World.” 1 the Arba Minim!
the decorations adorn its walls, and
we eagerly move from our permanent It is this visceral feeling of dwelling As the world around us today is
residence to our temporary one, we with G-d that leads to the simcha of storming, and life for our nation and
are enveloped by a natural feeling of Sukkot. our Land is not easy during turbu-
excitement and joy. The feelings of “You shall make the festival of Sukkot lent times, it is an avodah we must
warmth that permeate our homes and all engage in: imbuing the midda of
hearts are specific to this festival. for a seven day period, when you simcha, and the ability to rejoice, into
gather in from your threshing floor our very selves.
Sukkot reminds us of the Clouds of and from your wine pit, And you shall
Glory in which G-d ensconced us rejoice on your festival… A seven day Rabbi Avraham Pam taught that,
when we left Egypt (Vayikra 23:43), period shall you celebrate to Hashem, “Helping others is the formula for a
and the protection He provides to us your G-d... and you shall be only life of simcha. The theme of Sukkot
in each and every generation. This joyous” (Devarim 16:13-15). is that one must leave his permanent
protection reminds us that our true dwelling – his own mind – and settle
security lies not in the walls of our Only in regard to Sukkot are we com- in a temporary dwelling – thinking
homes of bricks and stone, but in the manded to not only rejoice but to of the needs of others. In doing so,
embrace of G-d’s love for us. doubly rejoice! Elsewhere, in regard he will find contentment in his own
to Sukkot, the Torah commands us life and will enjoy a year-round zman
“” Sukkot reminds regarding the mitzvah objects of the simchateinu.” 2
chag:
us of the Clouds of
When we live with the knowledge
Glory in which G-d “And you shall take for yourselves that G-d is the Source of our simcha,
on the first day the fruit of a tree of
and we care for others as we have
ensconced us when splendor, fronds of date palms, and been commanded (Devarim 16:14, as
we left Egypt, and branches of a cordlike tree, and brook quoted above), we will truly merit a
the protection He willows; and you shall rejoice before Sukkot of unbridled, pure and holy joy!
Hashem, your G-d, for a seven-day
provides to us in each period” (Vayikra 23:40).
and every generation. From this pasuk, Rav Elimelech Bie- 1 Chumash Masoret HaRav Shemot p.224-225.

derman learns an important and beau- 2 Rav Pam on the Festivals, ArtScroll, p.55.
Rabbi J. B. Soloveitchik teaches that tiful insight. The mitzvah deOraita
“Man is basically a homeless being. (Biblically ordained commandment)
No matter how large and opulent his to take the Four Species on Sukkot is
home, he is exposed. He is subject a mitzvah only for the first day of the
to the vicissitudes of life, subject to chag: “and you shall take for your-
nature – which at best is indifferent to selves on the first day…” However, the
man, at worst is hostile – and subject mitzvah deOraita to be beSimcha, to
to an inscrutable future. There is only rejoice and be only happy, is a mitzvah Mrs. Michal Horowitz teaches Judaic
one home where man gains security: for all seven days of the chag! Studies classes to adults of all ages.

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