B"H

Sunday, Tishrei 14, 5779 / September 23, 2018

Tonight begins the most festive holiday, Sukkot, when we leave the comfort of our home and eat in the Sukkah. The Sukkah commemorates the miracle of the special clouds, which surrounded the Jewish people through their forty year journey in the desert. G-d provided the clouds for their protection from the elements, from their enemies and from the snakes and scorpions in the desert. Sukkot is called, “Season of our rejoicing.”

Q.The miracle of the clouds began right after the Exodus, so why is Sukkot celebrated at this time of the year?

A.   Had we celebrated Sukkot in the spring or summer, when the weather is nice, it wouldn’t be obvious that we are doing it for the mitzvah. When we leave the comfort of our home at this time of the year, and go into the Sukkah it is obvious that we are doing it only for the sake of the mitzvah.

Q.  What is the lesson of Sukkot?

A.  This holiday teaches us that the physical pleasures and comforts of this world, our house, our furniture etc. are only temporary - like the Sukkah. Only our spiritual accomplishments, the mitzvot, acts of kindness and good deeds we perform, are everlasting.

This lesson is especially important after Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, when G-d gives us all that we need for the coming year.  We must remember the purpose of our being and use our energy and belongings for what is truly important. Wealth and possessions are a means to achieve spiritual heights.

This parable is worth repeating:  A father was once sitting with his little boy in a restaurant. The little boy noticed a person enter the restaurant who looked different than himself.  "Where is this man from?" he asked his father.  "This person comes from China," his father answered. A little later the boy saw another man enter the restaurant.  "Where is this man from?" he asked. "This man comes from Africa," was his father's answer.  

As time passed, many more people entered the restaurant. His father explained to him that each one comes from a different part of the world.  One from Asia, another from Africa, another from Europe etc.

"Is the food in our town so good that people come from all over the world to eat here?" the little boy asked in amazement.

The father laughed. "These people didn't come to our city for the food. They came here to be at the big fair where they buy and sell their wares. Once they're here, when they have to eat, they come to the restaurant!"  

The same is with the Sukkah.  The Sukkah reminds us that, although we have to attend to our physical needs, we should remember that the purpose of it all is to accomplish our G-dly mission in this world and everything else is only secondary, like the restaurant in the city.      

HAVE A GOOD, HEALTHY, HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

CHAG SAMEACH – A HAPPY SUKKOT HOLIDAY