A Message for Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkot

Good morning, everyone.I really made a last-minute decision to send you a short message — some food for thought — because it’s Shabbos Chol HaMoed this week, and we are going to read the Book of Kohelet: a long, long Megillah that we actually read only once a year, and which contains so much wisdom in it.I think it’s important to understand and realize what is the meaning of the Book of Kohelet.And of course, I’m sending you this from New York — that’s why there’s a difference in timing.

Why We Read Kohelet on Sukkot

Chazal teach that Kohelet is read on Sukkot, on Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkot, at a time when all the nations of the world are mentioned and prayed for.During Sukkot, the korbanot (sacrifices) were offered in a diminishing way — thirteen bulls on the first day, twelve on the second, then eleven, and so on.

Chazal explain that this teaches us that the Umos HaOlam — the nations of the world — should pokhtim v’holchim — diminish and lose their power more and more.On Chanukah, we do the opposite — we increase the light each day — because when we live a life of Torah, it must be godel v’holech, always growing and increasing.But when the nations of the world try to confront us, we pray that their power should decrease more and more.

The Nations and the Beit HaMikdash

Chazal also teach: If only the nations of the world realized what they lost with the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, they would never have destroyed it.

Although we lost our Beit HaMikdash, we continue to daven to Hashem — He remains constantly with us in our tefillot.But the nations of the world lost their spiritual access completely.When the Beit HaMikdash stood, they too could send offerings and pray there; once it was destroyed, that opportunity was gone.

And that is why Kohelet is read on Sukkot — because it carries a universal message, one that even the nations of the world can understand.On Pesach, we read Shir HaShirim, which speaks about the intimate bond between Hashem and Am Yisrael.But on Sukkot, when the nations are mentioned, Hashem says: “Read Kohelet. Let them understand what the true purpose of the world is.”

The Joy of Sukkot and the Message of Kohelet

The essence of Sukkot is vesamachta bechagecha — to bring joy into our lives.We leave our secure homes during harvest season, when our possessions are gathered, and instead sit in a sukkah, where through the roof we can see the stars of Heaven.There, we feel closer to Hashem — and that brings true joy, knowing that He alone takes care of us.

Yet when we read Kohelet, we might wonder — is this a message of joy?Shlomo HaMelech, the wisest of all men, declares: “Hevel havalim, hakol hevel” — vanity of vanities, all is vanity.It sounds almost despairing. Why would we read that on the festival of joy?

Shlomo HaMelech’s Question: What Is Worth Living For?

Shlomo HaMelech, who had everything — wisdom, power, wealth, and understanding — says, “It’s all fleeting.”He built the Beit HaMikdash, the most magnificent spiritual structure in the world, yet he saw with Ruach HaKodesh that one day it would be destroyed.

So he asked: If even that which is holy can vanish, what is truly eternal?This question defines Kohelet — the search for meaning in a transient world.

The Conclusion of Kohelet: The Purpose of Man

We call him “Kohelet,” not “Shlomo ben David,” because Kohelet comes from hakhel — to gather.He gathered all the wisdom in the world and summarized it in one timeless conclusion:

“Sof davar, hakol nishma — et haElokim yera v’et mitzvotav shemor, ki zeh kol ha’adam.”The end of the matter, when all is said and done: fear Hashem and keep His commandments, for that is the essence of man.

That is the message of Kohelet — and the essence of Sukkot’s joy.

Finding Eternity in the Fleeting: The Arba Minim

On Sukkot, we take the arba minim — lulav, etrog, hadassim, and aravot.We seek the most beautiful species of nature and rejoice with them.

But we might ask: why spend so much on a beautiful etrog that lasts only six days?Was it worth it?Shlomo HaMelech asked the same question: Is it worth investing in the material if it will disappear?

Some might say, “If it will disappear anyway, enjoy everything while you can.”But Torah teaches otherwise.

Transforming the Material into the Spiritual

We say in Hallel:

“Hashamayim shamayim laHashem, veha’aretz natan livnei adam.”The heavens belong to Hashem, but the earth He has given to mankind.

The Midrash asks: Which is it? And answers: it belongs to Hashem — until we make a bracha.The moment we say “Baruch Atah Hashem,” the physical becomes ours, sanctified through His Name.

Hashem created the world so that His Name would be sanctified within it.When we recognize the Source — when we make a bracha — we elevate the material into holiness.That is the essence of Kiddush Hashem.

Hiddur Mitzvah: Beautifying the Temporary

We say in Shirat HaYam: “Zeh Keili v’anveihu” — This is my G-d and I will beautify Him.Chazal explain: Hitna’eh lefanaf bemitzvot — beautify the mitzvot.

Build a beautiful sukkah, buy a beautiful etrog, set your Shabbat table with love.It’s true — you could fulfill the mitzvah more simply. But when you do it b’hidur mitzvah, with beauty and care, you transform something fleeting into something eternal.

True Joy: Turning the Temporary into the Eternal

This is Shlomo HaMelech’s ultimate message:True joy comes from transforming the fleeting into the eternal.

Yes, the sukkah is temporary — just seven days.But when it’s filled with mitzvot, tefillah, guests, and love, it becomes eternal.When we act leshem mitzvah — for the sake of Heaven — even the smallest deed becomes infinite.

Sof Davar: The Essence of Man

“Et haElokim yera v’et mitzvotav shemor — ki zeh kol ha’adam.”Fear Hashem and keep His commandments — that is the purpose of man.

That is what gives our lives meaning and joy: knowing that every act done for Hashem transforms the physical into the spiritual, the temporary into the eternal.

A Blessing for Sukkot

So may we all bring beauty and holiness into our homes, our relationships, and our lives.May Hashem fill our days with joy, as it says:

“Vesamachta bechagecha vehayita ach sameach.”You shall rejoice in your festival and be only joyful.

Have a wonderful, wonderful Shabbos.Enjoy every moment of Sukkot.And if I can, I’ll still try to send you more food for thought.