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It is customary to open with blessing, in this instance, the blessing, "Gut Yom Tov." This is particularly appropriate on Sukkos, the "season of our rejoicing," for the Torah mentions the concept of happiness three times in connection with Sukkos. Three is associated with a chazakah, a sequence that reflects a strong and continuing influence.

Sukkos is also referred to as Chag HoAssif, "the harvest festival." It is the time when the crops are gathered in from the fields. There is a connection to the observance of Shemittah in Eretz Yisrael. For after six years of agricultural work, no work was done on the seventh year and the land was consecrated unto G-d.

The above concept has a parallel in our service of G-d for we are instructed to "Make this place Eretz Yisrael." In our service, the above refers to gathering together all one's thought, speech, and deed and making them "consecrated unto G-d."

Such service is a preparatory step for the era in which we will celebrate the harvest festival in a most literal sense in Eretz Yisrael, in Jerusalem, and in the Beis HaMikdash. We will be assisted by the influence of the ushpizen, Avraham and the Baal Shem Tov and in a wondrous manner characteristic of the Baal Shem Tov, we will proceed to the ultimate Redemption. This is particularly relevant in the present year, a year of "wonders in all things."[90]

We will then proceed to the Simchas Beis HaShoevah. Since the Redemption will have already come, there will be no need for decrees to serve as safeguards and we will be able to celebrate Simchas Beis HaShoevah on the first night of Sukkos as well.

Simchas Beis HaShoevah is associated with the concept of prophecy.[91] This will be enhanced in the Era of the Redemption, for then "I will pour out My spirit to all flesh." Also, Simchas Beis HaShoevah is associated with happiness. Seeing the happiness of Simchas Beis HaShoevah grants us the potential to appreciate happiness in the entire year to come.

And we will merit the ultimate Redemption and celebrate Simchas Beis HaShoevah in Eretz Yisrael, in Jerusalem, and in the Beis HaMikdash. May this take place in the immediate future.

   

Notes:

90. (Back to text) "In all things," bakol in Hebrew, relates to the threefold blessing given to the Patriarchs, bakol, mikol, kol.

91. (Back to text) In regard to Simchas Beis HaShoevah, our Sages stated, "From there, Ruach HaKodesh ("the Holy Spirit") could be drawn." According to Kabbalah, Ruach HaKodesh refers to the Sefirah of Malchus, alternatively, to Malchus as it is influenced by Kesser.