07 Oct The Central Theme of Sukkos
The Bach teaches us that one of the unique features of the mitzvah of sukkah is that it is imperative to have the correct kavanah, concentration, when doing the mitzvah. Although for many of our mitzvos even if we do them without thought we still fulfill the mitzvah, by the mitzvah of sukkah we have to know and think at the time why we are eating under the schach. The Torah says, “L’maan yeidun doroseichem ki basukos hoshavti es Bnei Yiroel b’hozteisi eschem mei’Eretz Mitzrayim – In order that your generations should know that I had you dwell in coverings when I took you out of Egypt.” The Gemora in Masechtas Sukkah elaborates that “coverings” refers to the Clouds of Glory that saved the lives of millions of people when we traveled in the desert for forty years when we came out of Egypt. Thus, it’s important to educate our children that the Clouds of Glory shielded us from the killing sun during the day and the frigid desert weather through the night.
We recall and talk about this symbolic memorial every year during the Festival of Sukkos. Obviously, Hashem felt that amongst the many miracles that He performed for our people through the millennia, the neis, the miracle of the Clouds of Glory are worth our special and undivided attention.
During our sojourn in the desert, there were three great miracles. The miraculous mon which fed us for forty years, falling every day for millions of people right at the opening of their tents (if they were worthy). The mobile well of Miriam which was actually an amazing rock that traveled with us and constantly produced more water than Niagara Falls. And, finally, the Clouds of Glory that ensconced us with their wonderful protection. The Gemora teaches us that the mon was given to us in the merit of Moshe Rabbeinu, and indeed Moshe Rabbeinu crafted the first blessing of bentching over the mon. The well was given in the merit of Miriam, while the Clouds of Glory were granted to us in the merit of Aharon HaKohein.
What was Aharon’s special strength that he earned the privilege to cloak all of Klal Yisroel with the Clouds of Glory? The Mishna in Pirkei Avos reveals to us that Aharon’s uniqueness was his penchant for shalom, for peace. The Mishna recommends to us, “Hevei mi’talmidav shel Aharon; Ohev shalom v’rodeif shalom – Become a disciple of Aharon; Love peace and pursue peace.” This is why we say in our Shabbos Maariv, “U’fros aleinu sukkas shlomecha – And cloak us with Your covering of peace,” because there is a direct correlation between Divine shelter and the peace that one keeps at home. It is the eternal message of Sukkos that if we want a tzeila d’m’hemnusa, the Shadow of Hashem to protect our family, we need to make effort to make sure that our homes are places of peace.
When, in Megilas Rus, Naomi spoke to Rus and Orpah, she said, “Mitzena menucha ishah beis ishah – May you find each one of you contentment in the home of your (future) husband.” Here the great Naomi is defining the proper aura of a Jewish home: It should be a place of contentment, a place of ease and serenity. If we want the New Year of 5780 to be one of Divine protection, then we must try harder that there should be less screaming and bickering in our homes. We should divest ourselves of the need to always have the last word, focusing more on the mission statement of a Jewish home which is to maintain the peace at all costs. We should remember that the first thing that we ask Hashem for in Attah chonantanu when we start the new week is that the “Yomim haboim likrasienu,” the days that are coming to meet us should be l’shalom, peaceful. All of us who want to keep sickness, thieves, termites, and all other unpleasant things from our homes, should make a concerted effort to create an aura of warmth for our families. Love in our homes, together with a healthy diet of Torah, is the best way to stave off all sorts of unpleasantness.
May it be the will of Hashem that in the merit of these attempts, he should bless us all with long life, good health, and everything wonderful.