Page 34 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

HOLIDAY READING

Dr. Deena Zimmerman

Hiding in the Sukkah

or the last month, since the The Ibn Ezra states it is Jerusalem, Hiding and concealing are also
beginning of Elul, we have been based on the verse “and His sukkah concepts with dual meaning. Both sins
Freciting Psalm 27 – י ִ רֹוא 'ה ד ִ ו ָ ד ְ ל will be in Shalem (one of the names such as idol worship (see Devarim 13:7
י ִ עׁ ְ שִי ְ ו – on a daily basis. We will con- of Jerusalem) and His dwelling in and 27:15) and actions of which one
tinue to do so until Shemini Atzeret Zion” (Psalms 76:3). Rashi narrows is ashamed are associated with hiding
the very end of the Sukkot holiday. the area down specifically to the Beit (see Devarim 27:24). On the other
The practice first appeared in the HaMikdash. He ties it to a historical
prayer book of Rabbi Marskov, a disci- event, where Yoash, the son of hand, a hidden place is described as
ple of the Ba’al Shem Tov and in hala- Achaziah, was in fact hidden in the the dwelling place of Hashem (Psalms
chic works such as the Mateh Ephraim Temple for six years to save him from 91:1).
by Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margulies the wrath of Atalia, the queen who Such double meaning is appropriate
(1762-1828). succeeded in killing the remaining for such confusing times. Perhaps we

Elements of this psalm are reminis- royal children. Other commentaries can learn from them that all things
cent of the themes of this time of the look at the phrase as a more general that seem bad may, perhaps, have
year. For example, the Midrash (Tehil- one referring to G-d’s protection, a good side to them. Alongside the
lim 27:4) writes: “Our Sages have similar to the opinion of Rabbi damage of this pandemic to lives and
explained the verse as related to Rosh Eliezer (Sukkah 11b and codified in livelihoods, there have been areas
Hashanah and Yom Kippur. י ִ רֹוא (my the Shulchan Aruch) as to why we sit of growth as well. And even if the
light) – on Rosh Hashanah which is in sukkot, i.e. to remind us of G-d’s situation is truly bad, G-d is there to
the Day of Judgement as it states “and protection via the “clouds of glory” protect us from it being even worse.
let your justice and judgment shine (ananei haKavod).
forth like the midday sun” (Psalms Therefore, the image of G-d protecting
37:6), that He will save us and forgive When does G-d conceal us in His us during such troubling times is one
us, and י ִ עׁ ְ שִי (my salvation) on Yom sukkah? ה ָ ע ָ ר םֹוי ְּ ב. A simple translation worth repeating twice daily as we
Kippur, that He will save us and for- would be “on a bad day,” but it can approach the holiday of Sukkot. If
give all our sins. also mean a day of bad as in a “day of this Sukkot we will be “hiding” in our
trouble.” I feel it is likely that over the sukkah with just our immediate family,
Yet another hint is found in the last six months, people have felt it is may we hope that next year we can all
mention of “sukkah” in verse five: “For one ה ָ ע ָ ר םֹוי after another in light of the celebrate in G-d’s Sukkah of Jerusalem
on the day of trouble He will conceal ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. How-
me in His sukkah; He will hide me in and the Beit HaMikdash.
the shelter of His tent and set me high ever, in Yirmiyahu (17:17–18, 51:2),
upon a rock.” the phrase has a positive connotation.
It is when punishment will be brought Dr. Deena Zimmerman is a pediatrician
Let us look at this verse in greater down on evildoers and thus it is actu- and Director of yoatzot.org, a website for
detail. First of all, what is this sukkah? ally a good day if you are righteous. women’s health and halacha.

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