Rabbi Explains Why Holy Guests Are Welcomed in Sukkot's Humble Booths

Rabbi Israel Reider addresses a question posed by Rabbi Chaim of Sanz regarding the timing of inviting the "Ushpizin," or holy guests, during the Jewish festival of Sukkot. The Rabbi of Sanz questioned why these esteemed guests are welcomed in the Sukkah, a temporary booth often furnished with simple seating and lacking the comforts of a home, rather than during Passover, a holiday typically associated with more elaborate preparations and a festive home environment.

Rabbi Reider explains that Sukkot follows Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. After undergoing a period of repentance and atonement, individuals are considered purified and cleansed of sin. It is precisely at this moment of spiritual purity that the Ushpizin are invited into the Sukkah. This timing signifies that participants are not entering the festival with apprehension after a day of judgment, but rather as individuals who have experienced forgiveness and atonement, now worthy of joining the holy guests in a state of enhanced purity.

This perspective, Rabbi Reider suggests, can bring immense joy. It allows for a deeper fulfillment of the commandment to "rejoice in your festival and be exceedingly glad." The understanding is that by embracing this spiritual cleansing, one can truly experience the happiness and spiritual connection intended by the festival.