The holiday of Sukkot is called in the Torah 'on the first day' even though it is the fifteenth day of the month. The simple meaning is the first day of Sukkot, but our sages found a deeper meaning in this. It is the first day, after the forgiveness of sins on Yom Kippur, on which the sins of the people of Israel begin to be counted anew, because in the days between Yom Kippur and the holiday of Sukkot there is no practical possibility of sinning...
Obey the 'Torah' and celebrate Sukkot safely: This way you are 10 times more protected
These days, Jews are 'busy with the mitzvot' - some with their sukkah, some with their lulav. And truly, one does not have to be an advocate for Israel, Rabbi Levi-Yitzhak of Berdichev, to feel elated at the sight of the multitudes of Beit Yisrael walking these days through our streets with etrog and lulav in their hands, or at the sight of the children and adults working hard to build the sukkah..
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Leaving the fortresses
The holiday of Sukkot is a demonstration of the unity of Israel. This is reflected in the commandment of the Sukkah, which eliminates the partitions between parts of the people. Everyone leaves their homes, which are more or less luxurious, and sits in Sukkots. Thus the Sages said: "All Israel deserves to sit in one Sukkah.".
A deeper dimension of unity is expressed in the commandments of the four species.
The Torah commands us to include even the "Arava," even the Jew who has neither Torah nor good deeds. Sometimes we tend to distance ourselves from this type of Jew, who is empty of Torah and mitzvot. But the Torah teaches that without connecting with this Jew, even the "Etrog" has no value - it is impossible to fulfill the mitzvah!
Here the deep unity of the Jewish people is revealed. "Do not look at his appearance," God said to the prophet Samuel. These words are spoken to us in a number of ways. We should not judge another Jew by his outward appearance, his actions and behavior that are visible to our eyes. Even someone who appears "plain" is part of the people of Israel and has within him a soul that is "a part of God from above." He has infinite virtues, and we only need to know how to look within and discover them.
During these days, we suddenly see the love that exists in the heart of every Jew for the commandments of the Torah. The joy of a true mitzvah is evident. The spirit of awe of the High Holy Days gives way to a feeling of brotherhood, joy, and devotion to the commandments. This is the period when the holiday atmosphere reaches its peak, lifting us all from the daily routine and worries of the hour into a more spiritual world, relaxed and full of joy and love.
Prayer for world peace
The holiday of Sukkot also emphasizes the influence of holiness on the entire world. On this holiday, seventy bulls were sacrificed in the Temple, representing the seventy nations of the world. The holiday's haftarah speaks of what will happen to the nations at the time of redemption, and of the processes that will bring the entire world to believe in God and worship Him with one shoulder. This holiday therefore expresses the prayer for the peace of the entire world, and from it comes the power to bring stability and peace to all nations.
We will joyfully celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, sit in the Sukkah and take the four species, and draw handfuls of strength of faith and confidence, which will sustain us throughout the entire year. Happy Holidays!
