Living Torah Archives

The sukkah is a testament to G‑d’s protection over the Jewish people. Like the clouds of glory in the desert, which it represents, the sukkah brings the nations of the world to respect the Jewish people and to recognize that this world has one true Master, G‑d Almighty. Thus, the coronation of G‑d which the Jewish people initiated on Rosh Hashana also reaches its apex on Sukkos, as all the nations of the world recognize G‑d’s dominion.

When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, wine was poured on the altar daily, but on the festival of Sukkos there was an additional water libation after the morning service.

Chabad philosophy teaches that the sukkah—which represents the clouds of glory that sheltered the Jewish people in the desert—is also the revelation of the incense cloud that blanketed the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. On Sukkos it is revealed for all to see, even non-Jewish passersby.

The Sages instruct us in Ethics of Our Fathers: “Be of the disciples of Aaron the High Priest.” Aaron was the holiest Jew. Yet, which of his qualities do the Sages instruct us to emulate? “Love peace and pursue peace; love all creatures and draw them close to Torah.”

Code of Jewish Law, Laws of Shabbos, Chapter 329: If non-Jews besiege a Jewish border town—whether in the Holy Land or in the Diaspora—stating that they come only to pilfer straw, Jews are obligated to arm themselves for war, even on Shabbos, because such an intrusion opens up the entire Jewish land to attack.

The Midrash teaches that each of the Four Species on Sukkos represents one kind of Jew and concludes: “On Sukkos, all four Jews must join together, for each one completes the others.”

Children sing “Utzu Eitza” at a rally in 770.

It is the responsibility of every Jew to bring others close to Torah and Mitzvos. The Ten Mitzvah Campaigns form the basis for this effort. But they all begin with the Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel – to love one’s fellow Jew. When we reach out to others with love, then both we and those we reach are deeply inspired to strengthen the observance of all Mitzvos.

Every Jewish child is a soldier in “Tzivos Hashem – G-d’s Army.” He or she is given the strength to overpower his own evil inclination. But success in this mission depends on careful adherence to the army’s basic rules of conduct.