How Will You Build Your Sukkah?

"They found written in the Torah that the LORD had commanded Moses that the Israelites must dwell in booths during the festival of the seventh month, and that they must announce and proclaim throughout all their towns and Jerusalem as follows, “Go out to the mountains and bring leafy branches of olive trees, pine trees, myrtles, palms and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” - Nehemiah 8:14-15

Sukkot is one the most joyously visual of the commandments performed by the Jewish People. If you are in Israel, during the Hag (festival), look in any direction and witness the mitzvah being fulfilled as little booths spring up in yards, sidewalk cafes and even the merpesett (balcony) of apartment dwellers.

Spend time in the Sukkah, and one thing is obvious: it’s a temp job. All the better to remind us that, like the somewhat makeshift hut, we are here for just a little while. But the Creator’s message during Sukkot is to be joyful—He even commands Israel to be joyful—which demonstrates that Jews and non-Jews can choose to be happy when buffeted about by life’s unexpected experiences. And like the song says, “Storms never last.”

Sitting within the embrace of the sukkah we can learn lessons from the Torah that draw parallels between the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and our own tabernacle in the form of the human body. For example, in Exodus 25:8, God instructs Moses to, Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."  

The Talmud (Berakhot 8a) teaches that each of us should make ourselves into a place suitable for God's Divine presence. Exodus 40:16 also reveals another parallel between our bodies and the basic design of the Mishkan. In fact the Torah employs the language of physiology.

The construction of the Tabernacle is rich with symbolism, each part representing different aspects of the human body. This configuration includes the Golden Incense Altar placed before the Holy of Holies. The Sages associate this with the power of speech and our prayers, that rise upward like the Qetoret, the holy incense. The Menorah represents the heart, seat of our emotions, and perception. Its radiance is likened to wisdom that illuminates the soul (Bava Batra 25b; Zohar). The seven branches of the Menorah can also represent our two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and the mouth—gateways of perception and expression. And, just as the lamps must be kept pure and burning, so must these faculties be guarded and sanctified.

In addition, the Menorah can serve as a reminder to non-Jews of the covenant made with Noach that requires humanity to keep Seven Universal Laws given to humanity after the Flood (Sheva Mitzvoth B’Nei Noach).

Then there is the Table of Showbread, (Shulchan). It stood opposite the Menorah so teach us that that human need for material sustenance must be balanced with spiritual enlightenment.

The Torah Sages (Chazal) remind us that Moses scrupulously followed God's blueprint, the vision for the Mishkan. By doing so, God honored the final result and raised up the Tabernacle.

Everything we read about the Tabernacle conveys the message that Torah instruction serves as a divine blueprint for a meaningful life. Yes, the sukkah is a parallel to the Miskhan and both can be seen as stand-ins for the habitation of our soul. Israel’s impassioned, collective effort to build the Mishkan is evidence that humanity is co-creator with God. Each of us is a tabernacle that can be elevated—raised up—by following God’s blueprint for our lives found within the 613 mitzvoth for Israel or the 7 Noachide Laws for the nations.

Hag Sameach!