A Novel Insight into the Age-Old Question of Why We Celebrate Sukkos in Tishrei

(The following devar Torah is from the sefer U’Matok Haʼoir)

There is a well-known and famous question asked regarding the Yom Tov of Sukkos: Since Sukkos comes to commemorate Yetzias Mitzrayim - "So that your generations may know that I made the children of Yisrael dwell in sukkos when I brought them out of the land of Egypt" - why do we not celebrate Sukkos in Nissan, the month of redemption?

The Tur explains: If we were to build sukkah's in Nissan, it would appear as though we were simply moving into our summer cottages. But when we go out to the sukkah in Tishrei, it is clear that we do so for the sake of the mitzvah.

A Deeper Explanation from Rabbi Shlomah Kluger zt"l

The Gemara tells of a Jew who took a non-Jewish woman, and Rava decreed lashes upon him. As a result, the sinner's soul departed. When this reached the house of Shabur HaMelech he sought revenge against Rava.

But Iphra Hormiz, Shabur's mother, heard of her son's plan and warned him: “My royal son, do not harm the Jews – it is dangerous to start up with them! Why? Because they merely pray, and their God grants their request. For example: when rain does not fall, they pray – and He sends rain."

A Story from Yemen

An elderly Yemenite Jew once told me – he was over ninety years old and remembered his childhood in the cheder in Yemen. There was a terrible drought, and the Yishmaelim announced to the Jews: "If by tomorrow no rain falls, we will slaughter you all – for only you can bring rain." And when an Arab promises, he fulfills – especially when it comes to slaughtering Jews.

The old man recalled: His rebbe gathered all the children into the Beis HaMedrash and said, "We will now recite Tehillim until rain falls – woe to anyone who stops!" They did not leave the Beis HaMedrash until all of Yemen had turned to mud.

That is what Iphra Hormiz meant: "One does not start up with Jews."

Rava's Test

Her son replied: "The Jews daven for rain in the winter – let's see them get rain in summer!" So Iphra Hormiz sent word to Rava to daven for rain in Tammuz, to avert her son's decree.

Rava davened – but was not answered. He then said before Hashem: "Ribbono Shel Olam! 'Elokim, we have heard with our ears; our fathers have told us the work You performed in their days, in days of old.' You performed miracles beyond nature for our fathers – and we have not seen such with our own eyes.” His tefillah was accepted, and rain poured down so heavily that the gutters of Mechoza overflowed into the Chidekel River.

That night, Rava's father appeared to him in a dream and warned: “You have troubled Hakadash Boruch Hu to bring rain out of season – against the natural order. There is anger upon you; the destructive forces seek to harm you. Do not sleep in your bed tonight." In the morning, Rava found his bed torn apart by the swords of the demons.

Rabbi Shlomah Kluger's Amazing Insight

Rabbi Shlomah Kluger explains: We begin the year with the Yamim Noraim – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Who knows what decrees may have been written? During the days of teshuvah, we cried and pleaded that Hashem have mercy, annul harsh decrees, and change the plan for good.

We troubled Hashem to alter the natural order – to overturn what was meant to be according to our deeds. Now, who knows what danger may result from that? Perhaps the destructive forces have already filed their petition and are sharpening their swords.

Therefore, Hashem tells us: “Leave your homes; do not sleep in your fixed bed. Go hide in the sukkah.” As the pasuk says: "For He will hide me in His sukkah on the day of evil; He will conceal me in the shelter of His tent.” There, you will be protected from harm.