Posts Tagged: Degel Machaneh Ephraim

Sukkot

On October 8, 2014 by Ben Casper With 0 Comments
[based on an dvar torah by Rav Avrohom Schorr shlita]

Devarim 32:10
יִמְצָאֵהוּ בְּאֶרֶץ מִדְבָּר וּבְתֹהוּ יְלֵל יְשִׁמֹן יְסֹבְבֶנְהוּ יְבוֹנְנֵהוּ יִצְּרֶנְהוּ כְּאִישׁוֹן עֵינוֹ
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste, a howling wilderness; He compassed him about, He cared for him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.

Rashi, quoting the Sifri, says that this passuk is a description of how Hashem encircled and encased Bnei Yisrael in clouds and flags (for each tribe).
Based on Rashi on the passuk, the Degel Machaneh Ephraim in Parshas Ha’azinu says that this passuk is hinting at Chag HaSukkot – since the sukkot we build are in commemoration of the miraculous clouds that protected Bnei Yisrael in the desert – Hashem surrounds and envelopes us in the walls of the Sukkah as a form of protection.

Ishon is also a pupil – The Tiferes Shlomo says that this passuk is specifically referring to one of the special aspects of Sukkot as a time specifically to work on shmiras einayim – guarding of one’s eyes (pupils). We ask in Mussaf on the Shalosh Regalim: v’hareinu b’vinyano – to see the building of the Beit HaMikdash. Only with einayim tehorot can we behold sights of kedusha.

Rav Schorr writes that we go into the Sukkah as a haven, so to speak, from the outside world. Inside the Sukkah, we see the stars and the faces of our family and friends, G-d willing.

The third bracha of Bilaam is the famous blessing of Mah Tovu Ohalech Yaakov…Bnei Yisrael are praised for their modesty (because the entrances of their tents did not face one another).Shmiras einayim, however, is not only about shielding our eyes from improper sights and images; sifrei mussar also speak about this trait in connection with not looking upon others in a disdainful, critical, judgmental or jealous manner. Sukkot comes immediately after Yom Kippur – a day during which we hope to rectify our actions and turn bad habits around. A humble suggestion, that perhaps one function of the Sukkah is to emphasize not looking at other people after Yom Kippur and think either (1) that they didn’t use Yom Kippur properly, or (2) the opposite – seeing someone trying to correct their ways, and thinking “who does this person think he/she is; all of a sudden this person is frum…etc.”.

It is on Yom Kippur that we say the Al Cheit viduey, two of the Al Cheits cover both aspects mentioned of shmiras einayim:

וְעַל חֵטְא שֶׁחָטָאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּשִׂקּוּר עָיִן
עַל חֵטְא שֶׁחָטָאנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּעֵינַיִם רָמות

And for the sin which we have committed before You by prying eyes. (i.e. looking at things we should not be; invading privacy)
For the sin which we have committed before You with proud/haughty looks. (i.e. looking at other in a manner and attitude we should not be)The latter one, in particular, highlights that Hashem – as we’ve noted in slichot and davening a few hundred times over the last month – is the ultimate Judge.Sukkot is a time to sit under the stars, under the tzeilsa d’heimnusa, and continue that process from the Yamim Noraim of looking inward, instead of judgmentally outward at others. Hopefully it is in the comfort of the 4 walls of the Sukkot, surrounded by loved ones where a person can feel most comfortable to continue that endeavor. The Sukkah is a reminder to guard what our eyes see, and how we survey others.

Yishayahu 52:8
 כִּי עַיִן בְּעַיִן יִרְאוּ בְּשׁוּב ה’ צִיּוֹן

Why the double-eye language? Rav Schorr quotes the Taharat Kodesh, who says that the amount a person is careful with what he looks at in the world (and how he looks at his fellow man) before Mashiach, will be commensurate with how much he WILL be able to see upon the arrival of Mashiach, b’meheirah b’yameinu.

Chag Sameach

 

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