It is told about Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, that in the first year after his arrival Eretz Yisrael, on the eve of Succos, suddenly all his holy spiritual levels left him. This change was visible on his face, and even his students and close followers, who usually hung on his every word, mistook him for an ordinary person and did not help him build the succah. With no other option, he had to build the succah himself. Since he was not accustomed to manual labor, the task was very difficult for him. Sweat poured from his body, and he even injured himself, with blood streaming from his wounds. He toiled until the succah was finally standing. Just before the holiday began, he hurried to immerse in the mikveh in honor of the festival. When he emerged from the mikveh, everyone was astonished because his face shone with an extraordinary radiance. He then realized that Heaven had intended to elevate him to higher spiritual levels, which could only be attained through engaging in the mitzvah. It was through the sweat and blood from his labor that he merited the spiritual heights he achieved.
The succah is the only mitzvah that one fulfills by entering it with one's entire body—both the 248 limbs and 365 sinews. Indeed, the succah elevates us even from the moment we begin constructing it and through engaging in its preparation. Therefore, it is fitting for everyone to personally involve himself in building the succah to the best of his ability. Now, as we sit in the succah, we must realize that the succah is like the royal chamber of the King, and in His great mercy, HaKadosh Baruch Hu in His abundance of mercy has given us this gift. After the Days of Judgment, when the accusers (angels who advocate for strict justice) seek to continue judgment, HaKadosh Baruch Hu gives us the succah to protect and shield us from them. The succah is like the King’s royal chamber, and once a Jew enters the chamber of the King of Kings, the accusers no longer dare to speak against him.
There are many virtues and spiritual benefits to dwelling in the succah, but the greatest of them all is closeness to G-d. For an entire week, we are guests in the personal chamber of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and we are close to Him. Therefore, it is worthwhile to take advantage of these days, each person according to his ability and spiritual level, whether through Torah study, prayer, or both. As ruled in halacha, the mitzvah of dwelling in the succah is fulfilled by eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, and living in the succah for all seven days, day and night, in the same way one would live in their home throughout the rest of the year.
- Tiv Amirim – Succos
