Sukkah: Living in Joyનમૂનો

The Joy of Divinity

“‘Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’” — LEVITICUS 23:42–43

Perhaps the most obvious meaning of the sukkah has to do with what is explicitly written in the Bible. God commands us to build the sukkah “so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt.”

When the children of Israel followed God through the desert for 40 years after the Exodus, there was great potential for danger. The desert is full of deadly snakes and scorpions and is infamous for its harsh climate. However, God sheltered His people with his Clouds of Glory and with individual booths, both of which are recalled with the sukkah, a veritable demonstration of God’s providence.

The very structure of the sukkah beckons us to look to God and find solace in His providence. The minimal requirement for the structure requires two walls and a third wall just a few inches high, known as a “handbreadth” in Hebrew. The sages teach that these basic walls represent God’s arm, and the sukkah is His embrace.

In Song of Solomon 2:6, we read: “his right arm embraces me.” God’s arm embraces us through the sukkah. The first wall is like God’s arm, the second wall like God’s forearm, and the third smaller wall is like God’s hand. Together, they surround us with a hug. As we sit in our sukkah, we feel God’s presence. There, in the outdoors, vulnerable to wind, rain, and heat, we feel the loving presence of our Creator who protected the Israelites in the desert and shelters us still today.

In addition, Jewish law requires the roof of the sukkah to be somewhat open so that it is possible to see the stars. All year long, when we look up in our homes, we see the sturdy ceiling and roof as our source of protection. But in the sukkah, when we look up and see the heavens, we know that our savior and protector is God.

While we may live in worry and anxiety during the year, wondering how we will get through our life’s challenges, on Sukkot, we experience the profound joy that comes with knowing that God is running the show. While we are vulnerable and there are difficulties in our lives, there is comfort and joy in knowing that God can protect us in any situation and bring us through our challenges with love.