ברך משה - Sukkas Shaleim 24 - Avodah Zara 3a
Le'asid Lavo, Hakodosh Boruch Hu is going to tell the nations of the world that there is an easy Mitzvah to be performed, and its name is Sukkos. Go and make a Sukkah. Why is this Mitzvah called an easy Mitzvah? It is because its performance does not involve a significant monetary loss. Immediately, they all made a Sukkah on their roofs. Hakodosh Boruch Hu pierced them with the scorching sun from the month of Tamuz, and all of them kicked their Sukkos, and left their Sukkos. The Gemara asks, did Hashem really pierce them with the sun's heat? It can't be, because the Gemara had just stated that Hakodosh Boruch Hu does not seek excuses to deal harshly with His creations. The Gemara answers, that making the blazing sun beat down on the nations of the world was a fair test of their dedication, for the Yidin also must face this test during some years, for at times the Yom Tov of Sukkos comes out during the year when it is still hot, and they experience discomfort when they perform the Mitzvah. This shows their dedication to Hakodosh Boruch Hu, while the other nations of the world kicked the Sukkah when they experienced that which was uncomfortable to them. But didn't Rava say that one who is מצטער, is uncomfortable is exempt from the Mitzvah of Sukkah? The Gemara answers, that one may be exempt, but it is uncalled for to kick the Sukkah when exiting. The nations of the world are faulted for their attitude toward the Mitzvah, when they were exempt. This Gemara is telling us a key difference between the holy nation, Klal Yisroel, and all the other nations of the world. Klal Yisroel attach themselves to Hakodosh Boruch Hu at all times. They don't turn away from Hakodosh Boruch Hu in times of difficulty and pain, Chas V'sholom. Even at times when Hakodosh Boruch Hu throws it back in their faces, when it rains on Sukkos or is too hot, and one is exempt from the Mitzvah, they still seek to learn Torah and serve Him. They perform the other Mitzvos of the day; Lulav and Esrog, Hallel, Simcha, etc.... and they look forward to when they will also be able to fulfill the Mitzvah of Sukkah. Conversely, by the other nations of the world, when things don't go their way, Hakodosh Boruch Hu takes the sun out, they completely turn away from Hashem they kick the Sukkah. This as the Kotzker Rebbe (see אמת ואמונה above) explains regarding Nevuchadnetzar. Nevuchadnetzar was singing great praises to Hakodosh Boruch Hu, but that was only as long as things were all good for him. Once something happened which was not good for him, that was the end of his singing Hashem's praises. Klal Yisroel always sing Hakodosh Boruch Hu's praises, no matter their situation. That is the uniqueness of Klal Yisroel, and we see by the Mitzvah of Sukkah what differentiates Klal Yisroel from the rest of the nations of the world.