The Jewish mystics liken the mitzvah of sitting in the Sukkah to a Divine embrace. It is one of the only Mitzvahs in which a person is totally enveloped within the Mitzvah. Coming from the High Holidays, especially the intimate closeness with G-d that we experienced on Yom Kippur, the holiday of Sukkot is Hashem’s way of showing us a passionate loving embrace.
One can be embraced by someone else and remain passive, accepting the embrace but not reciprocating. Or, the embrace can be a two-way street, where the hugged individual returns the embrace with equal passion.
The question we need to ask ourselves is, which type will I be? Will I accept Hashem’s embrace passively or will I hug Him right back? What does that hug back look like? It comes in the form of passionate commitment to doing what Hashem wants of us amid great joy and enthusiasm. When we excitedly jump on new Mitzvah opportunities, like Lulav and Etrog, Sukkah, the Simchat Torah celebration, or any of the other hundreds of opportunities that come our way each day, that is a reciprocal embrace of Hashem.
The beautiful thing about the Mitzvah of Sukkah is that it can be enjoyed together with others. So, not only are we being embraced by G-d, it is also a group hug that includes our loving Jewish family. What’s not to like?
Embrace the embrace and have a wonderful and joyous Sukkot. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin
GR Group wrote...