Ask The Rabbi...
17 September 1994 - Issue #35

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This issue is dedicated in the memory of Albert Ernest O.B.M.

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This edition contains:

1.  Ushpizin -- Sukkah Guests.

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Mrs Alexis S. Berman wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>I seem to be having a difficult time understanding the concept of inviting 
>Abraham, Isaac, et al, to join as guests in the Sukkah.  This is my first 
>time observing Sukkot.  I would appreciate it if you could explain it to 
>me as easily as possible.
>
>Thank you,

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Dear Mrs. Berman,

This concept that you mention is called the "Ushpizin" - "Guests" in 
Aramaic.  According to tradition, the Ushpizin visit us in our sukkah every 
night of sukkot.

The source for the concept of the Ushpizin is the Zohar: 

"When a person sits in his Sukkah the Shechina (G-d's Divine Presence) 
spreads its wings (metaphor) over it from above and then Avraham together 
with the other five Tzadikim (Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yosef, Moshe and Aharon) 
and King David dwell together with him."

One of the important experiences of Sukkot is that of leaving the 
protection of our permanent dwellings and basking in the shade and 
protection of G-d's presence.  Each of the seven Ushpizin exemplified this 
idea during their lifetimes.  For instance Avraham left the security of his 
home and the house of his father and went off on a journey protected by G-
d's promise.  Yitzchak had to leave his home and dwell amongst the 
Philistines because of famine.  Yaakov had to leave his home and live with 
Lavan, etc.

The seven also correspond to attributes of G-d which we aspire to.  For 
instance, Avraham represents Chessed (Loving Kindness), Yitzchak Gevurah 
(Strength), etc.  These seven attributes also refer to much deeper concepts 
which are oft discussed in Chassidic texts as well as the Kabbalah, called 
the Sefirot. These are aspects of the way in which G-d interacts with his 
Creation. 

There are two opinions as to the order of the guests' arrival.  According 
to one tradition the order is their order of birth, whereas according to 
the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria) the order is that of the Sefirot, thus Yosef 
comes after Aharon.

There is a custom attributed to the Arizal to invite seven poor people to 
eat in the Sukkah corresponding to the seven Ushpizin.  You then have seven 
exalted guests from above, with seven earthly guests and G-d's Divine 
Presence hovering over it all.

Some Sephardic Jews have the custom of setting aside a chair in the Sukkah 
for the guest of the day.  The chair is decorated and an announcement is 
made each day that this is the chair of the Ushpizin.

In my neighborhood (Neve Yaakov) here in Israel the children have a 
beautiful custom of gathering together and then visiting every Sukkah that 
has a child with the same name as that day's Ushpizin.  They dance and sing 
in the Sukkah; and they get some treats for their effort.  My children wait 
each year with such excitement for the night when the boys will come and 
dance in our Sukkah.  I strongly suggest it for communities everywhere.
 
Sources:
o  Zohar - Parshat Emor.
o  Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov - The Book of our Heritage (English edition), 
   vol. 1, pp. 155-161.
o  Otzar Yisrael Encyclopaedia - Ushpizin.

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