Succos 5781
Rabbi Jablinowitz
The first time we find a mention of Succos in the Torah is not in relation to the Yom Tov of Succos. We find it by Yaakov Avinu in parshat Vayishlach. The pasuk says (Chapter 33, Pasuk 17), U’Lemikneihu Asa Succos, Al Kein Kara Shem Hamakom Succos. On his way home to Eretz Yisrael, Yaakov made booths, or Succos, for his animals, and therefore called the place Succos. Is this just a coincidence that we find Succos by Yaakov Avinu, or does the Chag of Succos relate to Yaakov on a deeper level?
After struggling with the angel and emerging victorious, Yaakov is given the name of Yisrael. As the pasuk says (Chapter 32, Pasuk 29), Ki Sarisa Im Elokim V’Im Anashim Va’Tuchal; You have struggled with Gd and with people and have triumphed. But as opposed to Avraham whose name was changed from Avram permanently, Yaakov retains his name alongside his new name of Yisrael. Why does Yaakov now have two names, and when he is referred to as Yaakov, and when is Yisrael his more appropriate name?
The Zohar Hakadosh teaches that when Yaakov was involved in a struggle with Eisav or in Chutz La’Aretz, he was called Yaakov. But in Eretz Yisrael or when no longer involved in a struggle with other nations, he was referred to as Yisrael. (The Zohar discusses questions on this distinction and answers them). The name Yisrael is a combination of the words “Li Rosh”, and suggests a higher spiritual state, unaffected by outside influences.
When Yaakov had a dream in the beginning of parshat Vayeitzei, he sees a ladder. The Torah tells us (Chapter 28, Pasuk 12), V’Hineh Sulam Mutzav Artza V’Rosho Magi’a Ha’Shamaymah; the ladder was placed on the ground, but its top went up to the heavens. And in the next pasuk we read, V’Hashem Nitzav Alav; And Gd stood over it. The Medrash teaches that Yaakov saw the angels of the different conquering nations go up and down the ladder; though commanded to go up as well, Yaakov didn’t want to climb the ladder. What was his hesitation?
The Sfas Emes teaches that the rungs of the ladder represent the struggles in this world with the different nations of the world. And they also represent our struggle with our yetzer hara and the physical world. Yaakov Avinu didn’t want to go up the ladder; he wanted to be up top where Hashem stood over the ladder. He wanted to be in a safe, spiritual haven where the outside world can’t affect him. He wanted to be after the struggle, Ki Sarisa Im Elokim V’Im Anashim Va’Tuchal, and bask in his name Yisrael, Li Rosh.
The Arba Minim we take on Succos, explains the Sfas Emes, are the rungs of the ladder. The Medrash teaches that the different species represent the different types of people within Bnei Yisrael. Some have more admirable traits; some have less. And we need to know how to climb the rungs based on these differences. The pasuk in Tehillim says (Chapter 18, Pasuk 26), Im Chasid Tischasad, Im Gevar Tamim Titamam. Im Navar Tisbarar, Ve’Im Ikeish Tispatal. In a similar vein, Dovid Hamelech tells us there are four different types of people, and each one must be treated according to who he is. When Yaakov Avinu had to deal with Eisav, for example, he was guided by Ve’Im Ikeish Tispatal. Ultimately, Yaakov climbed the ladder and was rewarded with the name Yisrael. Ki Sarisa Im Elokim V’Im Anashim Va’Tuchal.
We go through the same process during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. We struggle with ourselves and our place in the world. This is how we climb the ladder. And we emerge on Succos holding the Daled Minim, the Lulav and the Esrog. The Tikunei Zohar teaches that the Daled Minim are considered our weapons of war, and indicate that we have been victorious in our battle.
What is our reward? We reach the level of Ki Sarisa Im Elokim V’Im Anashim Va’Tuchal. We reach the top of the ladder where Hashem is Nitzav Alav. And this is the mitzvah of Succah, the place where Chazal teach in Succah 9A, Shem Shamayim Chal Alav. We rest and dwell in the Tzila D’Heimnusa, the shade of belief in Hashem. We reach the level of Yaakov Avinu, as the Torah states, V’Yaakov Nasa Succosa.
The Sfas Emes adds, that now we can also understand why we don’t take the Lulav and Esrog on Succos when it falls on Shabbos. Shabbos is Yom Menuchah. On Shabbos, we put down the weaponry of our struggle. On Shabbos we bask in the Succos Shalom at the top of the ladder, and rest from our struggle. Ki Sarisa Im Elokim V’Im Anashim Va’Tuchal.
Good Shabbos and Chag Sameach!
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