-It is a Missvah to decorate the Sukkah and beautify it.
-It is a nice custom to like the Nerot (candles) of Yom Tov in the Sukkah and eat by its light.
-Women do not make the Berakhah of 'LeShev beSukkah' or the Berakhah on the Lulav since they are not hayavot (obligated) in these Missvot.
Additionally, women do not answer 'Amen' to anyone making the Berakhah of 'LeShev beSukkah' since this would be a hefsek (barrier) between the Berakhah on the wine in Kiddush and then she won't be able to drink from the Kiddush wine.
- It is a MISSVAH to be happy on Sukkot and to celebrate with new clothing, nice jewelry, and good food and wine.
- It is also a Missvah to feed the poor for Sukkot.
The following is adapted from Aish.com by Rabbi Joel Padowitz:
The Zohar explains that the Sukkah generates such an intense concentration of spiritual energy, that the divine presence actually manifests itself there in a similar way to Gan Eden. During Sukkot the souls of the seven great leaders of Israel – Avraham Avinu, Yiss'hak Avinu, Yaakov Avinu , Moshe Rabbenu, Aharon HaKohen , Yosef HaSadik, David HaMelekh – actually leave Gan Eden to partake in the divine light of the earthly Sukkot (Zohar - Emor 103a).
Each day of Sukkot, all seven souls are present, but each takes his turn to lead the other six. Collectively these transcendent guests are known as Ushpizin, the Aramaic word meaning "guests." To welcome these illustrious souls, many have the custom to recite a lengthy mystical invitation upon entering the Sukkah for the first time. Additionally, many invite the Ushpizin each time they partake of a meal in the Sukkah. Some Sephardic Jews even have the custom of setting aside an ornately-decorated chair covered with fine cloth and holy books.
Avraham Avinu represents love and kindness (Hesed)
Yiss'hak Avinu represents restraint and personal strength (Gevurah)
Yaakov Avinu represents beauty and truth (Tiferet)
Moshe Rabbenu represents eternality and dominance through Torah (Nessah)
Aharon HaKohen represents empathy and receptivity to divine splendor (Hod)
Yosef HaSadik represents holiness and the spiritual foundation (Yesod)
David HaMelekh represents the establishment of the kingdom of Heaven on Earth (Malkhut)
No comments:
Post a Comment