Basics
Posted on September 26, 2004 (5764) By Rabbi
Raymond Beyda | Series: Table
Talk | Level: Beginner
The joyous Holy Days of
Sukkoth are characterized with abundance. It is the time of ingathering of the
season’s crop — that in itself a time of rejoicing. It is a time when we have exited the courtroom of
Hashem and celebrate what we assume to be a good verdict. We take the Four
Species and wave them in all directions to signify Hashem’s control of
everything for our benefit and as protection from our enemies. Foremost amongst
the misvot of the week is the commandment to dwell in the Succah. With all the convenient
modular Sukkoth on the market it is important that one not forget that the
symbol of Hashem’s Divine Protection is really nothing more than a minimum of
three or four makeshift walls with some sticks or branches on top. One might
think that one should build a fortress to symbolize Hashem’s mighty shield.
In the times of the Temple
the time of Sukkoth was a time of national rejoicing unparalled the rest of the
year. In the Mikdash –water was poured as a libation on the altar. Although
this was a change in Temple procedures from meat, flour, wine and oil normally
poured on the altar, one can assume the reason was that we pray for a good
rainy season during this week preceding the winter planting. Yet it is a
contradiction to the feelings of gratitude one should demonstrate in the season
of ingathering of the bountiful crops that Hashem provided.
Wouldn’t meat, wine and
oil represent a more substantial “thank you” than mere water?
One could answer that the
Torah wants us to learn the secret of happiness. The command of “v’samahta b’hagekha” and you
shall be happy on your holiday –is repeated three times in the instructions for
celebrating Sukkoth. Happiness is the essence of this holiday. The way to
achieve the elusive goal is to appreciate the blessing of the simple things.
Learn to thank G-d for the basic necessities and then you will have mastered
the ability to enjoy the luxuries.
It is not uncommon for one
to lose one’s temper because one of the modern conveniences develops a
malfunction or is not as nice or new as the one one’s neighbor has. If you can
appreciate the one room shack called a Succah and you can feel it contains what
you need then you will have no problem appreciating and enjoying anything else
that Hashem has provided — over and above your basic necessities. Shelomo
Hamelekh advised “Don’t overindulge in honey perhaps you will vomit.” Too
much sweet is not healthy for the body nor is it beneficial for the soul.
One might think that since Americans today have more conveniences, comforts and
pleasures available to them than to any generation in history, that we are the
happiest people that ever inhabited the Earth. However, drug addiction,
tranquilizers, anti-depressants are common in today’s society to compensate for
the emptiness the gadgets provide.
Sukkoth is a time for
Happiness. The secret is to focus on the good that one has — the simple
necessities that G-d has provided — and to leave our fancy dwellings to
internalize the message for one more year. May Hashem open our eyes and hearts
to the message of the Succah and grant us satisfaction and good throughout the
coming year.
Tizku L’Shanim Rabot
Hag Sameah
Raymond J Beyda
www.raymondbeyda.com Text Copyright © 2004 by Rabbi Raymond Beyda and Torah.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment