Moshe then commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, at the time of the Year of Shemitah, on the Festival of Sukkos...
The Shemitah year causes harmony and “Hakhel” (assembly). This is accomplished because it is forbidden for a land owner to plant and grow produce for themselves on their land during the Shemitah year, nor may they take ownership of the produce that grows on it (on its own), as they usually would. Rather, the poor may eat from whatever grows.
This, without a doubt, causes harmony. For all disagreements stem from a trait of [selfishness] “what’s mine is mine,” [ultimately leading the person to claim] “it is all mine.” This [trait] is not so [prevalent] in the seventh year [for during this year, everyone is entitled to all produce, “what’s mine is yours”] ... So [too] on Sukkos, everyone leaves their permanent dwelling to a temporary dwelling and sits in his ‘Sukkah of peace.’
Accordingly, on the first day of Chol Hamoed (the intermediate days of the holiday) Sukkos, the king was commanded to make a tangible indication of this peace, namely, the Hakhel gathering.
Kli Yakar on Devarim 31:12
Excerpt from Hakhel: The Inside Story
Published by Sichos in English
