For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
Love is something that is indescribable, however we can look
at events that occur between two loved ones to maybe explain how the two show
the love that makes them really a single entity. Hashem and Am Yisrael,
literally us individuals, are similar to a Khatan
and Kalah (Bride and Groom). A bride
and groom, especially during the moments of the engagement, the Huppah (wedding
ceremony), the Shevah Berakhot (7 days of celebration after the Huppah) are at
their peak of love.
What do us Jews do? We bring Hashem into the picture, we
dance and sing for the Mitzvah of Lesameakh
Khatana ve Kalah and we say Divrei Torah and eat with the proper berakhot
(blessings), etc. We make sure Hashem is in the picture. Sukkot is different in
the fact that Hashem is the Sukkah, Hashem is the Zeman Simhatenu (which we are commanded to be in special happiness
of this ‘time of happiness’). But the question is: how do we see this
everlasting love between us and Hashem.
Everyday of the year we are obligated to remember different
Mitzvot, like one of the Rambam’s 13 foundation principles we must remember
which is to remind ourselves we cannot accomplish anything without Hashem, or
in Shema Yisrael where we say to love Hashem with all our heart and soul and
wallet and on and on. In reality, we show this love for Hashem throughout the
year. So WHY IS SUKKOT SO SPECIAL?!
The answer is beautiful and it is said by the Rav of the Old
City of Yerushalayim, Rav Avigdor Neventzhal shlit’a (may he reach 120 and stay
healthy BH). Rav Neventzhal says like this: the days of Hodesh Elul (the month
of Elul) is the shidduch (dates)
between Hashem and us. We get to know Hashem, Hashem gets to know Am Yisrael.
We recite Hashem’s characteristics: He is merciful, He is ever forgiving, He
loves us, He provides for us, and on and. Then Rosh HaShanah is the meeting
between the two families: we exchange all the tenaim (gifts/conditions) for the marriage. Yom Kippur is the
actual wedding between us and Hashem, a covenant that will last forever. And
SUKKOT IS THE SHEVAH BERACHOT >>> The time where we celebrate because
of the Huppah.
What is real love? It cannot be explained. But it can be expressed through us
sitting in the Sukkah, reminding ourselves that Hashem wants to wrap us inside
His home. He wants us to know we are loved. He wants us to get closer to Him.
He wants us to be happy because the Sukkah is a place of protection. Its
actually funny because during Sukkot it gets colder and people warm up in their
homes with fireplaces but we go into the Sukkah OUTSIDE IN THE COLD and SLEEP
THERE OVERNIGHT! Why? Because we state: Hashem is the one warming me up, Hashem
is the one protecting me! On a spiritual level, Sukkot is a time of Emunah and
Bitachon (belief and trsut in Hashem) and on a bodily level it is a time of
dancing an jumping and singing and sweating in the name of Hashem. When we join
the two, we reach the ultimate peak of Happiness, aka Simhat Torah!
theCLD wishes you a Hag filled with eternal spiritual light
of happiness and real love or Torah and Mitzvot. Tip: If you are having trouble
feeling it, pray to Hashem that you feel it. Even if you don’t want to feel it,
pray to Hashem for you to want to want to feel it.
Hag Sameah!
Judaism=Think.
Sponsor theCLD for the Ilui Neshama (memory of) or
Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one! Click the Donate Button
on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the
name(s)!
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