Daily Zohar # 4561 – Emor – Why inviting guests into the Sukkah

Show DZ reading video

Hebrew translation:

.

Zohar Emor
Continued from previous DZ
#276
Come and see, when a person dwells in the Sukkah, which is the shade of faith, the Shechina spreads its wings over him from above, and Abraham, who is Chessed, along with five other Tzadikim who are the secret of Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yessod, make their dwelling with him. Rabbi Abba says Abraham, five other Tzadikims, and King David Malchut dwell with him. This is the meaning of “In Sukkot, you shall dwell seven days.” The phrase “seven days” hints at the seven Sefirot, and not “in the seven days,” similar to how it is written, “For six days God made the heavens and the earth.” It is not written “in six days,” indicating the six supernal days of Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, and Yessod, who made the heavens and the earth.
One must rejoice each day, joyfully facing these guests (Ushpizin), Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yessod, and Malchut, who dwell with him.
Lesson;
This teaching emphasizes the spiritual significance of dwelling in the Sukkah, highlighting it as a time of closeness to Hashem and reflection on the interactions between the Light and our actions in the Sukkah. The presence of these Ushpizin invites a deep connection of faith (Emuna, אמונה) and Hashem’s protection, with joyous fulfillment of the Mitzvah of dwelling in the Sukkah.
#277
Rabbi Abba explains the verses about dwelling in the Sukkah, noting the change in verb form from “תשבו” (you shall dwell) to “ישבו” (they shall dwell). Initially, the command “תשבו” addresses the guests directly, inviting them, represented by the seven sefirot; hence, the language is direct and immediate. The shift to “ישבו” refers to all people; hence, the language is more passive and general, indicating the broader inclusion of all humanity in the observance of Sukkot.
The first mention is for the guests (Ushpizin), as illustrated by Rav Hamnuna Saba, who, upon entering the Sukkah, would joyously stand at the entrance from within and invite the Ushpizin. He would set the table, stand, bless “לישב בסוכה” “to dwell in the sukkah,” and say, “בסכות תשבו שבעת ימים” “In the Sukkot you shall dwell seven days.” “Dwell, O supreme guests, dwell. Dwell, O guests of faith, dwell.” He would then raise his hands in joy and proclaim, “Fortunate is our portion, fortunate is the portion of Israel, for it is written,
Deuteronomy 32:9
“כִּי חֵלֶק יְהֹוָה עַמּוֹ יַעֲקֹב חֶבֶל נַחֲלָתוֹ”
“For YHVH’s portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.”
and then he would then sit.

{||}