Succot Messages

Parshat אמור is also the source of the laws of the various holidays. Rabbi Twerski chose to put his emphasis on Succot, because of its three important messages.

The first idea is that we learn the importance of seeing how life is temporary and fleeting. We move into a temporary dwelling, the Succah, to drive home this point. We need to know what is worth focusing on, and what is not. The spiritual matters, and the material does not.

We also learn of the importance of hospitality and generosity. We invite the אושפיזין, the famous biblical guests, each night of the holiday. A home without having welcome guests, cannot be a happy or spiritual.

The final message is that of the Lulav and Etrog. By binding the Four Species, we learn how we need to welcome all Jews of all backgrounds. Jewish unity must be emphasized in order to strengthen our people.

So we see how Succot is unique because of its three special messages.