Rabbi's Corner

Have you ever given any thought as to how, during the Festival of Sukkot, we are in a kind of "quarantine" with HaShem when we dwell in the sukkah?   Dwelling in the sukkah may very well be the closest thing to being in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.  Why?  Because when we dwell in the sukkah we are surrounded by HaShem's love and concern.  Dwelling in the sukkah during this festival, which immediately follows the Yamim Nora'im (the Days of Awe) during which we offered prayers asking HaShem to forgive us and grant us another year of life, is the secret of the embrace given to us by HaShem that tells us everything is okay.

Let's say that during the period between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur you met up with someone whom you knew you had wronged.  Let's say you had committed the sin of lashon hara (gossip) by speaking badly about him to others.  According to halachah (Jewish Law), you have to tell this person what you did and ask for his forgiveness.  It is only then that HaShem can forgive you.  This may the hardest thing for a person to do: to admit to another human being that you have wronged that person.  Nevertheless, you summon the courage to confront him and apologize profusely for what you have done.

What is the best possible outcome?  If this person loves you for who you truly are, and if he forgives you with all of his heart, he might give you a big hug and say something like this: "Forgive you?  Forgive you for what?  It never happened!  You need to remember that I love you unconditionally not matter what!"  He tells you that he appreciates how difficult this was for you and that he loves you so much that you have nothing to fear from him.  And this is the secret of the Joy of Sukkot!

The walls of the sukkah are the hug of HaShem's loving embrace.  When we enter the sukkah, we are totally enveloped by the Divine Presence.  We experience the awesome compassion, love, and total forgiveness given to us by HaShem.  Knowing this, felling this, how can  we be anything but joyous!?!