The holiday of Sukkot, as we know, is based on the biblical verse, "You shall live in booths seven days" (Leviticus 23:42). We build these temporary dwellings, the sukkot (plural of sukkah), with leafy roofs, and eat our meals there. But it's so much more than just eating outside, isn't it? There's a deep spiritual tradition tied to it as well.
It’s said that each night of Sukkot, special guests, the Ushpizin – Aramaic for "guests" – visit our sukkot. These aren't just any guests. They are the Seven Shepherds, legendary figures who represent different aspects of Jewish leadership and spirituality.
The tradition is that on the first night, Abraham, the patriarch of faith, graces our sukkah. On the second night, it's Isaac, embodying sacrifice and devotion. Jacob, representing wholeness and perseverance, arrives on the third. Then comes Joseph, the dreamer and provider, followed by Moses, the lawgiver, on the fifth night. Aaron, the High Priest, brings a sense of peace and blessing on the sixth. And finally, on the seventh night, King David, the sweet singer of Israel, joins us.
So, how do we welcome these celestial guests? It's more than just setting an extra place at the table. There's a beautiful custom of reciting a special invitation: "Let us invite our guests. Let us prepare the table. You shall live in booths seven days. Be seated, guests from on high, be seated! Be seated, guests of faith, be seated!" This sets the stage, welcoming the Ushpizin into our temporary homes.
But there's another presence, even more constant. Some say that the Shekhinah – the Divine Presence – dwells in the sukkah throughout the entire festival, just as it once dwelled in the Temple in Jerusalem. It's as if the Shekhinah spreads Her wings over us, creating a sacred space for Abraham and the other holy guests to abide with us. Imagine that!
The Zohar, that foundational text of Jewish mysticism, identifies the Seven Shepherds as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and King David (Zohar 3:103b-104a). It's a powerful lineage, each figure contributing uniquely to the tapestry of Jewish history and spirituality. But it’s interesting to note that other traditions, like those found in Micah 5:4 and B. Sukkah 52b, offer slightly different lists, including figures like Adam, Seth, and Methuselah.
Why only during Sukkot? Why can't these great figures visit us any time? The mystics explain that during Sukkot, the very air in the sukkah is charged with energy from the upper worlds. It's as if the sukkah becomes a kind of Holy of Holies, drawing down the Divine Presence and making it possible for the Seven Shepherds to descend and enter our world.
Think about that for a moment. By fulfilling the mitzvah – the commandment – of building and dwelling in a sukkah, we become partners with God in the work of Creation! We're creating a space for the Shekhinah to rest, fulfilling God's intention to have a dwelling place here on earth. As Sefer Netivot ha-Shalom beautifully puts it, it's a profound act of partnership.
And the reward? It's said that those who welcome the celestial guests into their sukkah will rejoice with them not only in this world but also in the world to come. It's a promise of connection, of shared joy, and of a deeper relationship with the Divine.
Interestingly, in recent times, many have expanded the tradition to include female figures as well. Alongside the patriarchs, we now see the matriarchs – Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah – being invited, along with other important women like Miriam, Deborah, and Esther. This reflects a beautiful desire to recognize the vital contributions of women to our tradition and to create a more inclusive spiritual experience.
So, as you sit in your sukkah this year, take a moment to consider the guests you're inviting. Feel the presence of the Shekhinah. Reflect on the lives and teachings of the Seven Shepherds. And remember that by dwelling in this temporary space, we are creating a bridge between heaven and earth, and participating in something truly sacred. What a blessing!