In Hilchos Rosh Chodesh (Orach Chaim 417), the Tur cites his brother, Rabbeinu Yechiel, who teaches that the Shalosh Regalim correspond to the three Avos [Patriarchs]. Pesach corresponds to Avraham, as is alluded to by the pasuk: “Knead and make rolls” (Bereishis 18:6). (The Rabbinic tradition is that the malochim came to visit Avraham on the Yom Tov of Pesach.) Shavuos corresponds to Yitzchak, because the shofar blast at the time of the giving of the Torah (Shemos 19:19) was with a shofar that came from the ram (that was sacrificed in place) of Yitzchak at the time of the Akeidah. Finally, Succos corresponds to Yaakov, as it is written “...and for his cattle he made little huts (succos), therefore they called the name of the place Succos” (Bereishis 33:17).
Can understand that Peach corresponds to Avraham, because he told Sarah Rav Meir Bergman asks an obvious question in his sefer Sha’arei Orah. We can understand that Peach corresponds to Avraham, because he told Sarah to bake matzos. That makes sense. The attribute of Avraham Avinu (our forefather Avraham) was chessed [kindness], and the act of preparing food and serving guests — at a time when he was still recovering from bris milah — represented his attribute of kindness, his essence.
We can also understand that Shavuos corresponds to Yitzchak, because the shofar of Har Sinai was from the ram of the Akeidah. That too makes sense. Yitzchak represented the attribute of self-sacrifice (mesiras nefesh). That attribute is embodied in the ram that was a replacement for the sacrifice that Yitzchak was prepared to offer of himself. This fits in well with the theme of receiving the Torah (on Shavuous) for which we also need that same attribute of self-sacrifice. Therefore, both these allusions make sense. However, in what way does making huts for his sheep embody the essence of Yaakov Avinu? (see above vort for meal #7 for his answer). We can add one more question, which is what does this have to do with Succos?
To explain the above I would like to use an idea I saw in the sefer Milchemes Yehudah:
The context of the pasuk that the Tur brings is, Yaakov met Eisav, they (at least partially) reconciled, and then they decided to go their separate ways. Then the pasuk says, “So Eisav went back that day on his way toward Seir. Then Yaakov journeyed to Succos and built himself a house, and for his livestock he made shelters (succos); therefore, he called the name of the place Succos.” (Bereishis 33:16-17).
There are two problems with this pasuk. The first is that Yaakov only called the name of the place Succos after he got there (after he erected the shelters (succos) for the livestock). Nevertheless, the pasuk says “he journeyed to Succos” as if that was the pre-existing name of the town. Of course, we can say that the pasuk is speaking in “prophetic future tense” — i.e., Yaakov journeyed to the place that in the future he would name Succos. However, it is strange to find it written that way.
The other question is that it seems that Yaakov named the town for a very insignificant fact — namely the structures he built for his cattle. Why is the town (apparently) named for the huts he made for his livestock?
The Milchemes Yehudah discusses these questions. He says that the pasuk is teaching that Succos is not merely a place on the map — it is a state of mind. The Torah is teaching that Yaakov Avinu is now entering the final stage of his life. Yaakov lived in his parents’ house for many years, during which time he sat and learned. Then he went to Yeshivas Shem V’Ever for another fourteen-year period where, again, he sat and learned. Then, as a fugitive running for his life, he left Eretz Yisroel— the Promised Land — and worked by Lavan for twenty years. He
