As is well known, every word in Hebrew has a root, and different words with the same root have a connection between them.
The month of Tishrei is the seventh month of the year. In Hebrew, seventh is shvii. Similarly, the word for satiated is savua. Both words share the same root, the letters shin, bet, and ayin. Our sages explain that the connection is that the seventh month of the year—Tishrei—is a month "satiated" with festivals and mitzvot.
After the solemn days of Rosh Hashanah - where we accept God as King over us - and Yom Kippur - where we are forgiven - comes Sukkot.
One of the foundations of Sukkot is the sukkah - a booth - where we live throughout the festival (see Jewish Life).
Among the ideas symbolized by this mitzvah is the concept of ajdut—union. Generally, each mitzvah is related to a specific part of the body, such as the arm tefillin—with the arm, reciting the Shema—with the mouth, and so on. The sukkah is one of the few mitzvot that involves the whole person: one must be completely immersed in the sukkah during Sukkot.
In turn, our sages say that the entire Jewish people can be together in a sukkah, which also symbolizes the intrinsic union existing between each individual of the people.
In this spirit, let us take this teaching from the festival of Sukkot and put it into practice in our daily lives.
With blessings for a happy Sukkot,