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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The schach above us offers more than physical shade. It reminds us that the more fully we place our trust in God, the more deeply we can recognize His protection and guidance.
The Protective Shade of the Sukkah
On Succos we have the special Mitzvah (commandment) to dwell in the
Sukkah, a special temporary structure consisting of at least three walls and
schach (the roof of the Sukkah, made of materials which grow from the earth).
It is known that the most essential element of the Sukkah is the schach. Rabeinu
B’chayey writes in Kad Hakemach (on the topic of Sukkah) that when one enters
the Sukkah, his eyes should be directed at the schach, and this arouses him to
think about how the schach represents that God is the “shade provider” for the
Jews and He protects them just as the schach protects those who dwell
underneath it from the sun. Along this theme, the Nachlas Dovid (Drush 1) writes
that this concept is hinted in the law of the schach which requires there to be
more shade than sun entering the Sukkah. This represents that a person should
put all his faith in the protection of the “shade” of the Almighty, as opposed to
the laws of nature represented by the sun.
“God Is Your Shade”
The metaphor used in God’s supervision being referred to as “shade”
carries a deeper meaning. The verse in Psalms says (121:5), “God is your shade
at your right hand.” Our Sages tell us (this passage is quoted in a letter from
Rabbi Yosef Zundel Salant to his son and printed in Ohr Yisroel, 24) that this
metaphor resembles the extent to which one receives Divine assistance. Just as
with one’s hand, when he holds up only one finger he will produce the shadow
of just one finger and when he holds up a full hand he will have a greater
shadow, that of a full hand, so too, the more one turns to God and relies on Him
to provide him with his needs, the more “shade” from heaven he will receive in
the form of Divine supervision and protection.
A Story of Trust and Providence
Reb Mendel was an antique dealer who was marrying off his daughter.
The night before the wedding, he gathered his family and told them, “I am still
short twenty five thousand dollars for the wedding. I must come up with this
sum by tomorrow night, and I have no idea where I will get the money from.
Nonetheless, I am not worried! I am confident that God will provide me with
the necessary funds.” Before the family dispersed, there was a knock at the
door. At the door, stood an antique merchant who sold rare, old books, and
asked Reb Mendel if he had anything for sale. Reb Mendel replied, “It happens
to be, I recently purchased a three-hundred-year-old set of Rambam for fifty
dollars. It appears to have been owned by a scholar as it includes his notes on
the margins, but I have no idea who it was. Since I don’t know who it was, there’s
not much I can do with it.” The merchant asked to see the set, and as he flipped
through it he seemed to have an idea of whom the scholar may be. The
merchant asked to take it with him in order to confirm his speculation, and he
made up with Reb Mendel that if he was successful in making a sale he would
receive one sixth of the profits and the remainder would go to Reb Mendel. The
merchant took the set with him, and concluded that the Scholar was the Pri
Choddosh, based on the notes which had the same original insights as those that
were published in other works of the Pri Choddosh. The very next morning he
brought it to a collector who paid thirty thousand dollars for the set, earning Reb
Mendel twenty five thousand dollars.
Strengthening Bitachon on Succos
Succos is a tremendous opportunity to improve our Bitachon (reliance on
our Creator). As we sit in the Sukkah and we gaze at the schach we are reminded
of the true “Shade” protecting us. The advantage of pursuing this trait is too
great for us to neglect. Who would want to give up an opportunity to be the
recipient of greater Divine supervision and assistance? The more we put our
trust in God’s kindness with confidence that he will watch over us and provide
us with all our needs, the more we will merit to receive Divine assistance and
security in all aspects of our lives
By Rabbi Yitzchok Aryeh Strimber
