Devar/5771/Sukkot
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< Devar | 5771
עברית
English
The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do unto me? (Psa 118:6)
After the morning prayer of the holidays, we read the "Hallel" -- a series of Psalms which constitute praise of God, may He be blessed. Among the verses we read is our verse, which seems to me particularly appropriate for the holiday of Sukkot.
During Sukkot, we live in sukkot seven days. The "sukkah" (booth) is our home during the holiday, and our normal house is secondary to it. One reason for that is to let the message penetrate that we are dependent on God's kindness, and just as the sukkah does not protect us in an excellent maner, so too do none of our creations protect us. Rather, only God's kindness is capable of guarding us from all evil.
Therefore our verse is very appropriate for this holiday: since we trust in God, may He be blessed, that He will protect us -- therefore it is possible to say "what can man do to me?". The Psalm continues: It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man (ibid 8). Because man is limited, and despite his best intentions to help he cannot do everything. That is not true of God -- since there are no limitations to what He can do. May it be His will that soon we be made aware of His good influence, when He removes from us all enemies and every evil. O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever! (ibid 29).
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