Simchah On Sukkot

Ufros aleinu sukkat sh'lomecha – the joyous Yom Tov of Sukkot is rapidly approaching. (And if you're reading this during Sukkot... then it's already begun!) The verse V'samachta b'chagecha v'hayita ach sameach is more closely associated with Sukkot than with any other Yom Tov.

Rav Elimelech Biderman, shlit"a, explains that this verse is not merely a command, but a promise: Be b'simchah on Sukkot, and Hashem will ensure you experience simchah throughout the entire year!

Sukkot follows the solemn days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We enter it with joy, confident that a favorable judgment has been sealed for us.

In a previous article, we cited Rav Shlomo Kluger, ztz"l, in Chachmat Shlomo, who provides a penetrating insight. Since what he wrote is literally playing out in our world, and more explanation is warranted, we now revisit it.

 

Major vs. Minor Din

There are two separate judgments on Rosh Hashanah: the individual (din katan) and the national (din gadol). The Midrash(Vayikra Rabbah 30:2) states that the nations of the world challenge Klal Yisrael in the Heavenly Court every Rosh Hashanah, and the verdict is unknown—until we take the lulav and etrog on Sukkot. That’s when we know we’ve won.

Rav Kluger explains that the nations argue that Klal Yisrael no longer deserves to be the am hanivchar, the Chosen Nation. Each year, Hashem miraculously upholds our status, dismissing their claims. We often take this for granted, focusing mostly on our individual judgment. In truth, the miracle of retaining our national identity is serious and not automatic, and it should fill us with such joy Hashem makes us win. Then, personal concerns become secondary—like someone who becomes a billionaire and hardly notices a strong headache.

This needs explanation. What if someone’s personal judgment is painful—even death? How can that be overshadowed? The answer is: the din gadol is not just about a title. Without it, we would lose our elevated Olam HaBa, our connection to kedushah, hashgachah, and miraculous protection. Without this elevated status, our personal situation would be almost worthless.  

The nations don’t care about receiving and fulfilling the Torah and mitzvot – they want to sever our relationship with Hashem. Therefore, winning the din gadol truly outweighs any individual concern. As Rav Avigdor Miller, ztz"l, often said, our main priority is to reach a high level in Olam HaBa – but we’re not in a rush to get there.

This understanding explains our simchah even on Rosh Hashanah: We are confident that we will again merit to be upheld as the Chosen Nation.

 

The Power of the Lulav

But why is taking the lulav and etrog proof that we’ve won? Isn’t it a mitzvah regardless?

The Shem MiShmuel (on Moadim, p. 192) quotes the Yerushalmi in Sukkah (Perek 3), stating that the essence of Sukkot’s simchah is the taking of the daled minim. He also brings the Zohar, describing us post-Yom Kippur as a newly created people, who must again accept Hashem’s kingship fresh and anew, just as we do each day with Shema Yisrael.

Rashi in Shoftim writes that even if a soldier’s only merit is saying Shema Yisrael, they will be victorious— because that is true kabalat ol malchut Shamayim. It’s not lip service; it’s a real acceptance.

After Yom Kippur, we also need to accept Hashem’s kingship anew, not only through words, but with action. The daled minim represent the spine, heart, eyes, and lips. Taking them is a full-body expression of love and loyalty to Hashem—not obligation, but of eagerness. That’s why the Yerushalmi links the simchah of Sukkot to this act.

With this, the Midrash becomes clear. When we take the daled minim, we show that our entire being is devoted to Hashem. The nations see this and are forced into silence. Even if they argued in Shamayim, they now admit defeat—they cannot deny our unique closeness to Hashem. Our mitzvah observance, with joy and physical involvement, proves our eternal connection!

 

Modern Parallels, Eternal Promise

Right now, the world—through the UN—is once again debating whether to recognize a Palestinian state within Israel’s borders, against our will. (Even though some countries are against it, we are unsure of their motives.) The flotilla is making its way towards Eretz Yisrael, to force their way through, escorted by foreign warships.(What are they thinking?) Even if not stated outright, the message is clear: Klal Yisrael is not unique. We are no better than anyone else. We have no Divine right to Eretz Yisrael.

What we see below mirrors what’s happening above in Shamayim. And while that might be daunting, there is comfort in knowing that Chazal foretold this. More importantly, we are reassured: Hashem will always preserve us as His nation—so long as we remain loyal to His Torah.

That is why Sukkot is the holiday of joy. Our victory in the Heavenly Court is not just assumed—it is actively expressed through daled minim, through our commitment, and our joy.

As the gemara in Rosh Hashanah says (11a), we are destined to be redeemed from galut Tishrei. May we be zocheh to greet Mashiach soon—b’simchah!

R’ Dovi Chaitovsky and his family have the zechut to live in Eretz Yisrael, where he dedicates himself to Torah learning and teaching in Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh. His divrei Torah often draw from the shiurim of Rav Yisrael Altusky, shlit”a, Yeshivas Torah Ore, Yerushalayim which can be heard at kolhalashon.com.