D’var Torah: Sukkot—Eternal Joy
Hag Sameach, happy Sukkot haverim, Jewish brothers and sisters!
Shalom and Chag Sameach to all of you, my dear Jewish family! It is a true blessing to stand before you today and share my heartfelt reflections on the beautiful festival of Sukkot.
Growing up in Ukraine during the Soviet era, my early years were shaped by the life of secular Russian Jews. In those times, religion was suppressed, and Jewish traditions like Sukkot were virtually unknown to us. We lived in a world where building “shalashi”—a Russian word meaning huts or shelters—was merely a playful childhood activity, devoid of its deeper religious significance. Little did I know, these shalashi were imitating the sukkah, a direct influence of our rich Jewish heritage, even though we didn’t fully understand its meaning. For us children, constructing these simple shelters was an adventurous and magical experience, filled with imagination and excitement. We used whatever materials we could find, turning our creations into little worlds where we could hide, dream, and play freely. These shalashi were our sanctuaries of joy and community, fostering bonds that would later become the foundation of my spiritual journey.
However, my understanding of Sukkot underwent a profound transformation when I moved to Brooklyn, New York. In Brooklyn, I became part of the vibrant Jewish community at Chabad Lubavitch of Flatbush, where I had the privilege of learning from Rabbi Zalman Liberrow, the grandson of the esteemed Chasid Mendel Futerfass. It was here that I was introduced to four profound concepts that reshaped my understanding and connection to our traditions: meyad mamash (מאד ממש), Hashgacha Pratit (ההשגחה הפרטית), golos (גוֹלוֹס), and gaula (גאולה).
Meyad Mamash emphasizes the intensity and sincerity with which we approach our traditions. It reflects our wholehearted commitment to uphold and cherish the practices that connect us to our heritage. This unwavering dedication brings us together each year to build and dwell in the sukkah, reinforcing our bonds and our faith.
Hashgacha Pratit (ההשגחה הפרטית), or individual providence, reminds us that God is directly involved in our personal lives, guiding and protecting us every step of the way. This personal relationship with the Divine deepens our spiritual experience during Sukkot, making each prayer and every moment in the sukkah feel profoundly significant and spiritually enriching.
Golos (גוֹלוֹס) refers to the Kabbalistic concept of the Shattering of the Vessels (Shevirat ha-Kelim). According to Lurianic Kabbalah, during the creation process, divine light filled the vessels intended to hold various aspects of God’s emanations (Sefirot). These vessels couldn’t contain the light and shattered, scattering divine sparks throughout the material world. In Hasidic thought, this concept underscores our ongoing efforts to mend and elevate our world through righteous actions, prayer, and mitzvot. During Sukkot, as we gather in the sukkah and perform our rituals, we participate in the cosmic process of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), striving to gather and elevate these scattered sparks.
Gaula (גאולה) denotes redemption, both personal and collective, in Jewish and Hasidic thought. It aligns with our hopes for a future where harmony and divine connection prevail. The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel foretold that the whole world would accept the Torah and the God of Israel, celebrating Jewish holidays including Sukkot when the Moshiach comes. Amen! These prophetic visions inspire us to believe in a future where our traditions are universally recognized and cherished, fostering peace and understanding among all people.
Building and dwelling in the sukkah honors our ancestors who lived in fragile shelters during their forty-year journey through the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah teaches us in Leviticus (23:42-43) that we must live in sukkot for seven days so that future generations will know that the Almighty settled the children of Israel in these temporary dwellings when He brought them out of Egypt. Sukkot reminds us that our safety and well-being do not depend on the sturdy walls of our homes but on Divine protection. Under the scorching sun and open sky, our forefathers relied solely on God, who was their shelter and shield.
Moreover, Sukkot is intrinsically linked to the celebration of the harvest. As stated in the Torah: “When you gather the harvest from your land, celebrate this festival to the Lord for seven days.” This period is one of joy and thanksgiving for the abundant fruits of the earth that are generously provided to us. During these days, we express our gratitude to God for all that He has bestowed upon us and relish the fruits of our labor and the land’s bounty.
One of the central rituals of Sukkot is the use of the Four Species—the lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadassim (myrtle branches), and aravot (willow branches). These plants symbolize different parts of our community, uniting them into a single entity, much like how all Jews, regardless of their differences, stand united before God. The waving of the Four Species during prayers is a beautiful representation of our unity and diversity, reminding us that each individual contributes to the strength and harmony of our community.
But what truly makes Sukkot so special is the joy it brings. The joy of returning to these simple sukkot, the joy of feeling close to the Almighty and our history, the joy of building and dwelling in our sukkah with family and friends, enjoying delicious food, laughter, and the warmth of autumn. Every year, as this festival arrives, we thank God for the opportunity to build sukkot, remember our past, and rejoice in our present. Just as building shalashi in my childhood was an adventurous and magical time, so too does building a sukkah today rekindle that sense of wonder and connection, bridging our past with our present and inspiring us to carry these traditions into the future.
Sukkot is a festival that beautifully blends historical remembrance with agricultural thanksgiving, emphasizing themes of gratitude, community connection, and the transient nature of life. It is a time to embrace both the sacred and the everyday, finding joy and purpose in the midst of our daily routines. Through the rituals and celebrations of Sukkot, we honor our ancestors, give thanks for the harvest’s abundance, and strengthen the bonds that hold our vibrant community together.
As we build and dwell in our sukkot this Sukkot, let us embrace the lessons of transience and trust. Let us open our hearts to gratitude, recognizing the fragility and beauty of life. In doing so, we not only honor the memory of our ancestors but also enrich our present lives with meaningful connections and a profound sense of purpose. Let us hold onto the spirit of meyad mamash—striving with complete determination to uphold our traditions, embrace Hashgacha Pratit—acknowledging God’s direct involvement in our personal lives, understand the true essence of golos (גוֹלוֹס)—the need for spiritual repair through our actions, and anticipate the ultimate gaula—the redemption that our prophets have envisioned.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!
