Succot #2

Succot #2

Have you ever dreamt of flying? Well now is the time to try! The Sfas Emes (Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter) states that during Succot the jews could rise above the laws of nature!

On Succot we learn the importance of unity (achdut).

The Gemara (Sukkah, 27b) states that it is fitting for the whole nation of Israel to dwell under the same sukkah. Similarly, Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov (Likutei Halachot) states that the essence of the mitzvah of sukkah is to focus on being united with the whole nation of Israel.

During Succot the jews would perform the mitzvah of Hakhel, where once every 7 years, on the first night of Chol HaMoed, the entire nation would gather together and listen to the king read selected passages from sefer Devarim. This mitzvah provided a spark for the whole nation to unite.

Let’s see the greatness of unity…

Before Yaakov Avinu died he was about to tell his sons when Mashiach would come. However, Rashi (Bereishis, 49;1) relates, the divine providence left him and he forgot. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah, 98;2), however, relates that Yaakov told his sons “Though it is not known when the Day of Judgment will be, I do tell you that the hour you gather and assemble together you shall be redeemed.” We therefore see that Mashiach won’t come until we are all united.

Additionally, Rashi (Shemos, 19;2) states that when the nation of Israel received the torah they were “like one man with one heart.” In fact, Rashi also tells us that all the blind (19;11) and all the deaf (20;15) were healed. By performing these miracles, Hashem made the nation feel equal and united--for no one had any disabilities. According to the Midrash, had the nation of Israel lacked just one person from 600,000 then they wouldn’t have received the torah. We therefore see that unity was a pre-requisite in order to receive the torah.

Furthermore, the question is often asked: How does one perform ALL of the 613 mitzvot--some are only for men, women, cohanim, leviim, etc.? The answer is through unity. When one unites with his fellow jews, they become partners with him in fulfilling the mitzvot and he therefore gains a share in their merits. We therefore see the true greatness of unity, for through simply uniting with fellow jews one could fulfill the whole torah.

Let’s see the greatness of fulfilling the mitzvah of sukkah…

The Mahari Weil (191) states that through fulfilling the mitzvah of sukkah one becomes a partner in Hashem’s creation of the world. Additionally, Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Bluzhov (Tzvi LaTzaddik) states that the mitzvah has the power to help others have children. Furthermore, Rabbi Menachem Mendil Hager (Tzemech Tzadik) writes that it brings healing to all 248 organs of the body. Even further, Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl (Meohr Einayim) states that Hashem protects those who dwell under the sukkah the whole entire year. Lastly, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Horowitz (Zera Kodesh) writes that the mitzvah of sukkah encompasses the whole entire torah.

Summary: On Succot we should all unite, as that is the essence of the mitzvah (Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov). Similarly, once every 7 years during Succot, ALL the jews (including babies) would gather together in order to perform the mitzvah of Hakhel. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah, 98;2) relates that the Mashiach wont come until the nation of Israel are all united. Additionally, the Midrash relates that had just one person out of 600,000 jews not had been united, then the nation of Israel wouldn’t have received the torah. It is only through unity that one could perform all 613 mitzvot--for when one is united with his fellow jews, they all become partners with him in fulfilling Hashem’s will. Through the mitzvah of sukkah one receives incredible rewards, as this mitzvah encompasses the whole entire torah (Zera Kodesh). Let us all unite and fulfill this mitzvah!