Sukkot
October 10, 2003

Chag Hasukkot

Throughout the tefillot/prayers of the holiday of Sukkot, whenever we mention the holiday it is always in the plural – Sukkot. This is symmetrical to the other pilgrimage holidays i.e. Pesach which is called Chag Hamatzot and Chag Hashavuot.

The question is asked whether or not it is appropriate to call the holiday of Sukkot in the plural. Regarding Matzot – we do eat more than one Matzah on the Seder nights and regarding Shavuot – there are seven weeks that lead up to the holiday, but when it comes to Sukkot we only need to sit/dwell in one Sukkah to fulfill the Mitzvah. In fact the Talmud remarks that the entire people of Israel can fulfill the mitzvah in one Sukkah – so why do we call it Sukkot (pl)?

The Dovair Shalom explains that the answer is rooted in the Talmud Tractate Sukkah 11B. There is a difference of opinion between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer as to why do we sit in a Sukkah at all. Rabbi Akiva answers because the Jews dwelled in Sukkot in the desert – therefore we dwell in Sukkot. Rabbi Eliezer disagrees and claims that the reason we sit in the Sukkah is to commemorate the Oninay Kavod – Clouds of Glory that shielded the Jewish people from their enemies and miraculously led them by day as they traveled for forty years. The Dovair Shalom suggests that the reason that we call the holiday Sukkot (pl) is to represent both opinions – living in Sukkot in the desert as well as pursuing the Clouds of glory.

It is the combination of both ideas that creates the Sukkot holiday. We certainly do commemorate the forty years of living in Sukkot in the desert by living in our own Sukkot – eating, drinking, studying and resting with our family and friends. But on the holiday of Sukkot we must also look up towards the schach and reflect upon for the Onanay Kavod – Clouds of Glory that led our people years ago and protected them from the elements and the enemies and be confident that G-d will lead us again today towards national strength, peace, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple soon in our days.

Chag Sameach

Rabbi Ephraim Epstein
rabbiepstein@sonsisrael.com

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