Sukkos 5787

The Torah commands: “For seven days you shall dwell in sukkos.” In defining this mitzvah, our Sages explain that for the duration of the Sukkos holiday, which begins Friday evening, these small huts with roofs of branches and leaves must be considered as our homes. All of our daily routines should be carried out within them. As our Sages explain: “A person should eat, drink, relax... and study in the sukkah.”

Proverbs tells us to “Know Him in all your ways”; and our Sages comment, “This is a short verse upon which all the fundamentals of the Torah depend.”

For G‑dliness is present not merely in the synagogue or in the house of study, but in every dimension and corner of our lives. This concept becomes manifest through dwelling in a sukkah. The sukkah teaches us that every aspect of our conduct can serve as a means to relate to Him and become linked with His oneness.

The unity established by this mitzvah resolves the differences that exist between spirituality and material existence. Usually, we see the two as opposite. Spirituality, we often think, is otherworldly in contrast to physicality which is tangible and real. From G‑d’s perspective, however, both the material and the spiritual are expressions of Himself and can be fused harmoniously. Living in a sukkah helps us adopt this mind frame and attune ourselves to this inner unity.

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!

Friday, light Shabbat/Holiday candles at 6:30 PM

Saturday, light Holiday candles after 7:27 from a pre-exisiting flame

Learn more about Sukkot here: http://chabad.org/sukkot