Emuna Daily

When you have an awareness that a situation or occurrence is a test, you will find it much easier to deal with.

To illustrate this concept, imagine that you went for a job interview and the potential employer shouted an insult at you.  You would most probably feel either upset or angry.  But if someone told you in advance that this employer shouts at job candidates to test their reaction to stress, you would find it easy to remain calm.  You realize it is just a test and it is in your best interest to pass it.

That is how we can view each event and situation.  It is a test of our spiritual strength and courage, and we can look forward to passing it.  ~ R’ Zelig Pliskin

“In succos, you shall dwell…” The Gemara derives from this passuk that one should live in the succah in the same way one lives in his home.  However, the Satmar Rebbe taught that we should also derive from this passuk the opposite, that one should live in his home in the same manner that he lives in the succah. He should bring the atmosphere that he experienced in the succah to his daily life. ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman Shlita

The one who fears Hashem won’t only have succos during the holiday of Succos, but throughout the entire year he will remember that life is temporary; he’s living here as a guest. One should sleep in the shade of the succah and leave the permanent dwelling place… He should look up at the stars and place his trust in Hashem…. ~ R’ Yohonoson Eibshitz zt”l

The four minim (esrog, lulav, hadasim and aravos)  represent the unity of the Jewish people. The Midrash teaches that the esrog (which has a good scent and flavor) represents Torah scholars who do good deeds. The lulav has a taste (it grows on a date tree) but it doesn’t have a smell. This denotes the Torah scholars who lack good deeds. Hadasim have a smell, but no taste. They stand for the Yidden who do good deeds, but don’t study Torah. The aravah has neither ascent nor a taste, and they represent the Yidden who lack both qualities.

“Hakadosh Baruch Hu says, ‘Tie them together in one bundle so they will be forgiven for their sins together ” ~VaYikra Rabba 30:12 as quoted by R’ Elemelech Biderman Shlita

The mitzvah (from the Torah) of lulav is only for one day while the mitzvah (from the Torah) of simchah is for seven days because Hashem loves simchah, and He wants His children to be happy. Therefore the mitzvah for joy is for more days than that of the arba minin. ~ The Imrei Noam

The Shaarei Teshuvah (625) writes: “It is proper to give a lot of charity on erev Succos.  Reb Chaim Vital would distribute the tzedakah pushke to the poor on this day.”

Rebbe Chaim of Tzanz said that there isn’t a nicer succah decoration than the tzedakah that one gives on erev Succos.”  ~ R’ Elimelech Biderman Shlita

Chag Sameach!

When one sits in a succah, he is being hugged by Hashem.  The Arizal said that this hug is represented by the minimum two and half walls of a succah – From the shoulder to the elbow, from the elbow until the hand, and the hand.

(Try bending your arm and hand this way and you will see the two and half walls)

The Zohar teaches that on Succos, the ushpizen come to our succah to celebrate with us.  When they come, they look to see if there are any guests, and if so, they remain and bless all the participants.  But if there aren’t any, they leave.