Of Succahs & Iron Dome

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

Every day, from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Shemini Atzeres, we recite Psalm 27, “L’Dovid, HaShem, Ori V’yish’ee, HaShem, is my light and my salvation, meemee eerah, whom shall I fear?” We are living the words of the psalm today. The psalm continues: “Though an army would besiege me, my heart would not fear, though war would arise against me, in this I trust. Kee yitzpehnaynee b’succoh b’yom ra’ah, He will hide me in His shelter on the day of evil.” Dovid so eloquently writes that often, when he is in danger, HaShem’s succah, His shelter protects him.

Kee yitzpehnaynee b’succoh… Our enemies, particularly Hezbollah and Iran, continue to attack us with thousands of rockets, drones and missiles. Unfortunately, we have suffered injuries, including some seriously injured, and even, rachmana litzlan, a few fatalities. Yet, any rational person realizes that we are witnessing nissim, true miracles, as HaShem shelters us, protecting our people and our land from more catastrophic results. All three of Israel’s missile defense systems were put to work – Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow. Each one designed to intercept a specific type of enemy drone, tactical ballistic missile, medium to long-range rocket and cruise missile.

What a miracle that all three systems worked together. That a majority of the missiles were intercepted, and so many fell upon open spaces. We, having emuna and bitachon, recognizing that these systems are not merely military equipment, but are our hishtadlus, our efforts, which through HaShem’s guiding hands served as succahs to protect His people. Just as Bnei Yisroel were protected from their enemies by their succahs in the desert, and Dovid felt HaShem’s protection when he was threatened, we too, are protected by HaShem’s miraculous “succah”.

On Succos, we welcome the Ushpizin, Aramaic for guests, to our succahs. The holy neshamaos of the Raya Mehemna, Seven Faithful Shepherds, leaders of our people, Avrohom, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yosef, Moshe, Aaron, and Dovid.

There is a beautiful welcoming tefilla that is recited upon entering the succah: “ Tivu, tivu ushpizin iloyin, Be seated, be seated, exalted guests; Be seated, be seated holy guests, Be seated, be seated guests of faithfulness, be seated in the shade of the Holy One, blessed is He.”

While the neshamos of all seven ushpizin grace our succah, there is a different honored leader from amongst them for each night. The first night, Avraham, the second night Yitzchok, and so on.

It is written in the Zohar that when we leave our home and enter the succah “l’shem Shomayim – for the sake of Heaven” (with the intention to fulfil a mitzva), we merit that the Shechina, Divine Presence and all seven exalted shepherds join us in the succah.

Some have a custom of preparing an “ushpizin seat”. They decorate a chair and place sefarim, holy books, upon it, welcoming the honored guests to their succah.

Succos is the only Yom Tov called Z’man Simchaseinu, Festival of our Joy. The ushpizin, our holy guests descend from Gan Eden and rejoice together with us, bringing blessing to our succah.

On Succos, we connect to our past. We recall how our nation lived in succahs during their forty years in the desert. They traveled to the unknown, trekking through uncharted desert sands. How did they survive? From where did they muster their added strength? They were fortified with emuna and bitachon, faith and trust in HaShem. Although they didn’t know what lay ahead of them, their connection to HaShem remained strong and steadfast.

Each of the ushpizin had their own personal life journey. Journeys that gave them the strong foundations needed to become leaders of Am Yisroel.

Avraham answered HaShem’s call of “Lech Lecha – Go for Yourself”. He left everything familiar behind him, and went on a journey of self-discovery and connection to HaShem. A journey that led him to become the father of the Jewish nation.

Yitzchok’s journey was to Har Moriah – site of the Akeida. He was ready to sacrifice himself to serve HaShem. A strength which became embedded in our spiritual genes.

Yaakov had to live life “on the run”, escaping from his brother Eisav. His journey led him to the house of Lavan, eventually becoming the father of the Shivtei Kah, the Twelve Tribes.

Yosef had his own difficult life journey. As a young boy, he was sold as a slave, ending up in Egypt. By uncompromisingly clinging to his faith, and always having the d’yukno shel aviv – the image and teachings of his father before him, he rose to become viceroy to the Pharaoh.

Moshe and Aaron journeyed through the desert with Am Yisroel, each one a leader in his own right. Moshe was chosen by HaShem to liberate the nation from Egypt. He became Moshe Rabbeinu, a teacher and mentor for generations. Aaron was the first kohein gadol, and had the special virtue of being an ohev shalom, a lover of peace, and a rodeph shalom, a pursuer of peace.

Dovid had to run and hide from Shaul, and ultimately became the progenitor of the Malchus Dovid, the Davidic Dynasty. Dovid HaMelech’s life journey came with challenges and difficulties. Despite it, or precisely because of it, Dovid composed Tehillim, which to this day gives comfort to so many.

On Succos, we recall the faith and fortitude of the generation of the Exodus. We remind ourselves of the inner strength and trust of the ushpizin. We leave our secure, comfortable homes for just a little while, and enter the succah. As we gaze through the schach to the heavens above, we are reminded that HaShem is watching over us, as a father watches over his children, and we have nothing to fear.

It is a year since October 7, the start of the Simchas Torah war. While our nation has experienced miracles, we have also experienced immense hardships. As of this writing, there are still some 100 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. This Yom Tov, as we sit in our succahs and welcome the ushpizin, let’s say a special tefilla, asking our holy exalted guests to be melitzei yesharim, to intercede with Avinu Sheh’bashomayim, our Heavenly Father to bring this bitter war to an end, to see the safe return of our hostages, and shower blessings and shalom upon His holy land and the Jewish people worldwide.

May the merit of the ushpizin be a protection for us, guarding us from danger. May their blessings be with us, our brave soldiers, the injured, the families who have suffered immeasurable pain, and the hostages.

As we recite in the Yom Tov Maariv, may we see the realization of “Ufros Aleinu succas rachamim, chaim v’sholom, and may HaShem spread over us His shelter of compassion, life and peace”.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Succos Sameach!

Chaya Sora

Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas/In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l