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The Profundities of Torah: Succot |
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Written by Rabbi Yochanan Zweig
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 One can suggest that Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur & Succos represent a progression. It would then follow that on Succos one can attain a higher spiritual level than Yom Kippur? How is that possible?
The Sukkah is decorated especially with types of foodstuffs such as fruits & grains (Tractate Sukkah 10a). The underlying concept of the Sukkah obligation is Teishvu K'ein Taduru (ibid. 26a). One is to dwell in the Sukkah as one would dwell in one's home. When does one decorate one's home for more than a few hours?
Furthermore, there are two similar Talmudic passages that are astounding if not troubling. In Tractate Avodah Zarah (51a) we find an enumeration of idol decorations. That list is virtually identical to that of the Noy (decorations of the) Sukkah found in Tractate Sukkah (10a). Since other
decorations are obviously available, ( e.g. those described in the Scroll of Esther 1:6) why in the world use those used for idols?
There is a Petur (release) from dwelling in the Sukkah when one is Mitztaeir (very uncomfortable). How do we reconcile this with the dictum (Ethics of Our Fathers 5:27) of Lefum Tzaarah Agrah (the reward for performing Mitzvos is commensurate with the efforts - lit. pain - extended)?
The Rosh HaYeshiva, HaRav Yochanan Zweig would like to suggest the following explanation. The Yomim Noraim (Rosh Hashana, Aseres Yemei Teshuva & Yom Kippur) endow us with a sense of the Divine Presence from within. We are continually striving to return to G-d, to become one with Him. That is the theme of Elul (Song of Songs 6:3) - ani ledodi v'dodi li (I am to my Beloved - G-d -& my Beloved is to me) & the Ten Days of Repentance, Teshuva - returning to G-d.
The Sukkah represents the sensing of the Divine Presence from without. That in fact, is the conception of Gan Eden (Garden of Eden), the immanence, the manifest presence of the Al-mighty. In short, the Sukkah constitutes a miniature Gan Eden.
Therefore, we understand many of the aspects of the Sukkah laws & experience. We are not to feel uncomfortable so as not to diminish our enjoyment of basking in the Divine Presence. The seven Ushpizin in fact represent the Seven Divine Emanations of the Shechina (Divine Presence) entering the Sukkah. That also explains why we find tales of saintly Jews who would try their utmost never to leave the Sukkah, even for a moment.
We can now understand why the Sukkah decorations are in the main fruits & grains. We are trying to make the Sukkah reflect Gan Eden, i.e. a garden containing all types of fruits resplendent with the presence of the Al-mighty. The idolator also comprehends this. Perforce he endeavors to replicate Gan Eden by adorning his idol in a like fashion. Unfortunately, he lacks the ability to feel the Divine presence without resorting to utilizing a tangible, physical representation.
We on the other hand do not need to resort to a physical representation of the Divine. Through the heightened spirituality attained by our efforts during Elul, Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur we become capable of sensing the Divine presence in the Sukkah. We accordingly adorn, as it were, the Shechina -the immanence of the Al-mighty - with the trappings of Gan Eden.
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