Timeless Torah

The three festivals which were celebrated as a pilgrimage to Jerusalem correspond to our three forefathers, with Sukkot correlating specifically to Jacob. That Abraham is connected to Pesach is understood from the visit of the three angels which occurred on that holiday. Similarly, the bond between Isaac and Shavuos, joined by the ram’s horn that was blown at Sinai, is also readily apparent. We are however left trying to figure out the connection between Sukkot and Jacob.

In Genesis, we read of Jacob’s encounter with Eisav from which he emerged relatively unscathed. Subsequently, the two brothers parted whereby Jacob eventually, “built himself a house, and made sukkos (booths) for his cattle.” According to the commentaries, Jacob’s construction of sukkos-booths for his cattle is the link with the holiday which bears the same name.

Clearly however, there must be more of a thematic link between the festival and Jacob than just a solitary word. Perhaps the answer lies in the events that directly preceded Jacob’s construction. The Talmud explains that prior to this Jacob had been alone when he bumped into Eisav’s guardian angel. “Said R. Eleazar, Jacob remained behind for the sake of some small jars, because to the righteous, their money is dearer than their body. And this is because they do not stretch out their hands to robbery.”

Now that sentiment; “the righteous treasure their trivial utensils,” surely strikes us as strange. Wouldn’t we think that the holy tzaddikim would value the spiritual more than the physical? The answer lies with the following story.

There was once a poor man who was scrupulous in his observance of all of the Mitzvos. It happened once that things were so difficult that he did not even possess a cup of water. As he lay down, he spoke to His Creator, “I do not wish to bother You for a cup of water so that I may quench my thirst, but to wash my hands for the morning ritual so that I may purify my hands before I die.” That night, G-d saw the extent of his penury and his desire to serve G-d and so He gave him a wooden cup filled with water. This was clearly a gift from G-d, and he treasured it greatly.

From that day on the man’s fortune changed. He became wealthy, and eventually refurbished his. During the renovations the cup was misplaced. He stopped all the work and ordered the workers to search through everything until it was found. They were successful but perplexed, for they could not fathom why the man was so distressed about the loss of a worthless wooden cup. After being questioned about this by the workers, the man had one response, “If G-d Himself had given you something, wouldn’t that be the most precious item you possess?!”

It is this attitude that Jacob and all righteous people share. They appreciate that every item and every dollar they own is theirs because G-d gave it them, and that His purpose in doing so is to enable them to better serve Him. Thus their possessions are dear, beloved, cherished, and carefully protected. That is what it means, “The righteous do not steal.” They only have that which G-d blessed them with. They know that G-d gave to them their gifts to enable them to fulfill the precepts contained in His Torah. They therefore value their possessions as one should value a gift from G-d.

This is why Jacob’s retrieval of his small jars and his cattle booths are inextricably bound up with the upcoming holiday. Sukkos is a time when we leave our homes and venture outside, reminding us that our life in this world is temporary, as is our Sukkah dwelling. It also suggests that as G-d provided for those who lived in the desert, so will He provide for us.

Jacob, the Torah tells us, made sukkos-temporary booths, for his possessions. For himself however, he built a home which the Targum Yonasan interprets as a House of Study, a Beis Medrash. Jacob had his priorities straight. His temporary possessions, he valued for the right reasons. That is why he invested his effort in that which had permanence, a house for Torah study. Conversely, his temporary possessions only received a Sukkah.

Our Sukkah should teach us the same lesson. We must value our possessions for the same reasons Jacob did, ensuring that we understand what the priorities are in our lives. Thus our here today, gone tomorrow possessions need nothing more elaborate than a Sukkah. Our spiritual achievements in the meantime, are building us the palaces of our future reward.