30 Sep Succos

Reasons for the Mitzvah of Simchah on Succos

Yom Kippur has just passed, and all Yidden are clean from sins. But we are worried and concerned: how will we maintain our purity throughout the year? The counsel is simchah. Happiness steers us clear from sins. Hashem tells us to be happy for seven days on Succos, so we can remain pure the entire year. Many wonder why there is a mitzvah to bring joy to a chasan and kallah, who are already happy. The Chozeh of Lublin zy’a explained: The aveiros of the chasan and kallah are forgiven on the day of their chasunah. They become like Adam and Chava before their sin. But they are worried about maintaining their clean state throughout their lifetimes.

That is why we gladden them at their wedding. It tells them that if they want to remain clean from sins, they should always be happy.

We too, have just become purified from all sins on Yom Kippur. Therefore, the Torah tells us we should be happy for seven days. This joy will enable us to maintain our purity throughout the year. The Alshich Hakadosh explains that Hashem created the world because Hashem desires to dwell in this world (Dira Bsachnunim).

That happens every year after Yom Kippur, when the Jewish nation is purified from all sins. He writes, “Hashem wasn’t happy with His creation until that time… and in every generation, there is no happier time for Hashem than Succos, as then the Jewish nation is cleansed from their sins, due to Yom Kippur. And since Hashem is happy with our purity it is proper that we too should be happy at this time.”

Ushpizen

The Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah writes: “Erev Succos is the time to distribute charity. It is also the day to gather proper guests, b’nei Torah, for the yom tov.” The Zohar teaches that on Succos the seven ushpizen: Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaakov, Moshe, Ahron, Yosef, and Dovid come to our succos to celebrate with us. When they come, they look to see if there are guests present. If there are guests, they remain in the succah and bless all the participants. But if there aren’t any guests, they leave.

Therefore, it is important to have guests (or at least, to support the poor) for Succos. Rebbe Eliezer of Dzikiv zt’l was extra cautious to have a guest for the first day of Succos, because the first day of Succos is the ushpizen of Avraham Avinu who is renowned for his hachnassas orchim.

One year, the Dzikiver Rebbe didn’t have a guest for the first day, so he asked his son (the Imrei Noam zt’l) to go outside, and see if he could find someone who needs a meal. The son walked around the streets until he found a homeless drunk. He realized that this man certainly didn’t have a place to eat. “Come with me,” he said to the pauper. “My father invites you to come for the seudah.”

The Dzikiver Rebbe rejoiced with his guest and served him fish, meat and other delicacies. The Rebbe said: “Avraham Avinu didn’t have better guests. Avraham cared so much about people that he was eager to bring home anyone who desired a meal. At least, on this day, we should emulate Avraham Avinu’s ways…”

Gan Eden

The Keren l’Dovid writes, “When one sits in the succah l’shem shamayim, he feels the holiness, with hislahavus (ferver). He experiences the light of the mitzvah, and he knows that it is true that we were surrounded. This is something that cannot be explained. But someone who experienced it knows that it’s true.” The Sfas Emes (5643) also writes, “[The succah] is like Gan Eden. Man was created to live there, in Gan Eden, the place of true joy, as we say, Ksamechacha Yitzircha Bgan Eden.

Adam was banished from Gan Eden, nevertheless, there are times when a spark of Gan Eden shines… This is the reason people are happy when they are in succah…” This level of happiness people experience in the succah differs among people. Some people are very happy in the succah, and they feel the holiness. Others are less attached to the mitzvah. The Shem MiShmuel (5673) said that this is because the succah is similar to teivas Noach (Noach’s ark).

Rashi writes that the animals came on their own to Noach’s teivah, but only the animals that didn’t sin were able to enter the teivah. Those who sinned were banished from the teivah. Similarly, everyone sits in the succah, but only those who are worthy can experience its great joy and holiness. The Shem MiShmuel writes, “If the succah accepted him he will experience a very good feeling being in the succah. But, chas veshalom, if the succcah doesn’t accept him, he will not be happy being there… If one enjoys the succah immensely, this proves that the succah accepted him immensely. This is something that cannot be seen.

It is in the feelings of the heart, and only revealed to Hashem.” The Shem MiShmuel adds that Succos comes after Yom Kippur, because one needs to be tahor from all sins to be accepted into the spirituality of the succah.