Page 47 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

HOLIDAY READING

Rabbi Jesse Horn

What is Special about

Simcha on Sukkot?

hile two of the three pilgrim- each can help us develop a theory locations on the first day, and specifi-
age holidays have a special to explain Sukkot’s ‘simchatic’ cally in the Beit HaMikdash, where we
Wand distinctive theme, uniqueness. raise it on all seven days (on a Biblical
Sukkot, seemingly, does not. Pesach’s is level). The arba minim, plants that
cherut (freedom) and Shavuot’s is Matan How does one fulfill the mitzvah of embody the successful harvest, are
Torah (the giving of the Torah), each of simcha on Jewish holidays? For men, used in religious practice – to serve
which defines the holiday and articulates it’s drinking wine and eating meat; for G-d.
their distinctiveness. Yet Sukkot’s theme women, it’s buying new clothing, etc.
is simcha (happiness), which is an ele- Each person should be involved with While the goal of the classic simcha
ment also found on the other holidays. what they themselves enjoy (Pesachim (the one existent in all three holidays),
Why does Sukkot not receive its own 109a). The goal seems to be to increase is to generate personal and national
unique motif? people’s happiness through engaging happiness and rejoice in expansive
in activities that give them joy. fashion, Sukkot’s simcha is fundamen-
Perhaps one may suggest that Sukkot By contrast, the simcha of Sukkot tally different. Because the chag itself
has quantitatively more simcha. is accomplished differently. Taking carries a preexisting simcha, the Torah
Although there is nothing unique to the lulav in the Beit HaMikdash is aims at now raising that simcha to a
Sukkot, it does have more simcha than described by the Torah as םתחמשו, and higher level and focusing it towards
the other holidays. As the Rambam be happy (Vayikra 23:40). Moreover, G-d.
says, Sukkot has “excess happiness” the Simchat Beit HaShoeva (Sukkot
(Lulav 8:12). water-drawing festival) took place in We express our innate happiness in an
appropriate spiritual way, through sin-
Alternatively, the simcha on Sukkot the Beit HaMikdash as well. cere religious experience.
could be qualitatively different from The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 324)
the simcha on the other holidays. In claims that this time of year is a time This lesson is not just important for
other words, there are two models when people are naturally happy. After Sukkot, but for life in general. One
of simcha. One is the classic model, all, it’s the harvest season, when farm- should direct and elevate one’s nat-
contained within Pesach, Shavuot and ers rejoice with the fruits of a year’s ural emotions and feelings in a way
Sukkot, and the other is a singular hard work. Furthermore, being spiri- that can better serve G-d and bring us
model unique to Sukkot, similar to the tually cleansed after Yom Kippur adds closer to Him. And that, in turn, leads
way cherut characterizes Pesach and to that feeling of joy. to even greater simcha.
Matan Torah Shavuot. Rabbi Jesse Horn is a Senior Ra”m (Rosh
The goal of Sukkot is to take that hap- Metivta) at Yeshivat Hakotel and director of
What are these two models? Perhaps piness and channel it towards G-d, the Mizrachi/Yeshivat Hakotel Mechanchim
examining the different halachot of wherever we are. We raise a lulav in all program.

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