Sukkos

The passuk states בסוכות תשבו שבעת ימים…למען ידעו דורותיכם כי בסכות הושבתי את בני ישראל בהוציאי אותם מארץ מצרים “In Sukkos you shall dwell for seven days…since in Sukkos I made dwell the Bnei Yisrael when I took them out of the land of Mitzrayim.” The Gemara brings that “in Sukkos” refers to the clouds of glory. The passuk teaches that when we fulfill the mitzvah of sitting in a Sukkah we need to remember the great miracles that Hashem performed: Hashem surrounded us with 7 clouds of glory to protect us from the nations, to lead us, to shield from the blazing heat, to raise the valleys and level the mountains, to sweep and settle the dust on the road, to burn the snakes and scorpions, and to clean and iron our clothes. The Gemara brings another opinion that the word בסכות “in Sukkos” refers to temporary huts which we dwelled in during our travels throughout the forty years in the desert. The question arises: what indeed are we supposed to remember?

There is another pressing question to ask: Hashem took the Bnei Yisrael out of Mitzrayim on the 15^th of Nissan. Why then is the mitzvah of Sukkos on the 15^th of Tishrei, half a year later, and not at the time when Hashem took us out?

The Ramban answers that the Bnei Yisrael started to build huts at the beginning of the winter when it became cold, therefore the Yom Tov is the 15^th of Tishrei. We are meant to remember and appreciate that for 40 years in the desert, Hashem proved the provisions of Bnei Yisrael completely, and Bnei Yisrael were not missing anything at all.

The Rashbam answers that the 15^th of Tishrei is a time of the culmination of the agricultural season. After the plowing, planting, sprouting, and harvesting, now is the time when a person gathers in to his house the entire year’s crop. One may feel I did it all; it is due to my accomplishment and success. I am boss and I am in control. Hashem commands: Go out of your house which is filled with all good, into a hut. The passuk states למען ידעו remember that for 40 years the Bnei Yisrael dwelled in huts in the desert, without a house, in a non-settled place, and without an inheritance. Recognize and give appreciation to Hashem that He is the one who gave each person an inheritance in Eretz Yisrael, a house to live in, and full with good. Don’t forget that Hashem is the one who gives us the strength to accomplish and He is the source for success.

May Hashem help us recognize that He is the source for our success, and continuously express our appreciation!