Sukkot Schedule

Weekly Words of Torah

The Joy of the Righteous

Insights into Sukkot of Mr. Natan Weingarten of Yeshivat Sha’alvim, by Rav Re’uven Ungar of Sha’alvim.
An interesting idea that we see by the chag of Sukkot is the time of year that it takes place. It’s striking to see the Torah institute this chag to take place during the month of Tishrei. Logically, it would make more sense for this chag to take place during the month of Nissan, as the nature of chag Sukkot has an inherent connection to that time of year. The month of Nissan is the time when Hashem officially established his ‘children’ as a Jewish nation, specifically when they left Mitzrayim. On this chag, we build a Sukkah, which represents the Ananei Hakovod and setting as it was during the time of the Exodus. Wouldn’t it make more sense, for the Torah to assign this chag to take place during the month of Nissan?
The Tosafot in Masechet Yomah explains that during Motzei Yom Kippur there is a special type of simcha that we experience from the eating and drinking, while breaking our fasts. The Rama says that you should drink and eat on Motzei Yom Kippur, because Hashem was appeased through our teshuva and a high level of happiness can be attained through these actions. He continues to explain that this high level of simcha that is experienced on Motzei Yom Kippur is simply due to the fact that a large degree of selicha has just been given to Klal Yisrael. The Rama says there is a separate halacha of being misameach, in and of itself, on motzei Yom Kippur. This special simcha should come automatically and naturally, assuming we experience a true meaningful Yom Kippur. It’s natural for people to be happy when they are forgiven. It’s a compete sigh of relief. Being forgiven gives one a complete and true feeling of elation. There is no greater simcha than being forgiven for ones own sins.
This is the precise reason for why the Torah assigned this chag to take place during the month of Tishrei. After attaining this unique level of simcha from Yom Kippur, we use the chag of Sukkot to help us envelop it and retain it into our lives. This chag is a “Zman Simchateinu,” which helps us infuse this special simcha, into our hearts for the rest of the year. The mechila that is given is so incredible and powerful, that you cannot just go into the routine of daily life immediately after Yom Kippur because it can easily dissipate. May we merit to attaining this level of simcha and that we succeed in ushering and transferring this powerful emotion from Yom Kippur to Sukkot and to the rest of the year.