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SUKKOT Maftir Numbers 29:12-16
Gematria is a particular study of Jewish mysticism based on the numerical value of Hebrew letters in the Aleph Bais (Hebrew alphabet) as inscribed in the Torah. Jewish Gematria has many disciplines. Hashem Spoke to Moses, Saying; speak to B'nei Yisroel saying; on the fifteenth day of the Seventh Month is the Festival of Sukkot for Seven Days, to Hashem." Leviticus 23: 33, 34 You shall dwell in The Sukkahs Sseven Days, every native born Israelite shall dwell in The Sukkahs so that your generations will know that in The Sukkahs I caused {you} B'nei Yisroel to dwell when I took them {B'nei Yisroel} out from the land of Egypt, {for} I am Hashem, your God. And thus Moses declared the appointed times of Hashem to the B'nei Yisroel." Leviticus 23: 42-44. What is the intended purpose of these words, "...On the Fifteenth Day of The Seventh Month is the Festival of Sukkot for Seven Days, to Hashem."? What is meant by stating, "You shall dwell in The Sukkah Seven Days, every native born Israelite shall dwell in The Sukkah so that your generations will know that in The Sukkahs I caused {you} B'nei Yisroel to dwell when I took them {B'nei Yisroel} out from the land of Egypt, {for} I am Hashem, your God."? We have a dramatic and interesting connection hidden in the depths of these verses. First, observance of Sukkos is a commandment by God. Second, observing the Festival of Sukkot requires dwelling in The Sukkah. Third, The Torah time frame for observing the Festival of Sukkts is Seven Days. The Rabbium have extended this time frame by one day. Fourth, there is a specific time for observing the Festival of Sukkot. We observe the Festival of Sukkot during The Seventh Month of the Hebrew calendar which is The Month of Tishri. Tishri occurs during the months of September and / or October. Fifth, Hashem designed this festival as a means of educating future generations. The Festival of Sukkot is a learning tool! Sixth, future generations are to learn that after their ancestors' departure from Mitzriam they lived in Sukkahs for forty years. The CENTER point to this entire experience is realizing that Hashem is our God, and that Hashem is our King and we the Jewish people are the people of His Kingdom. Today we build Sukkahs in a variety of places. Thousands of years ago our Sukkahs were together in one community. They were not scattered throughout the entire world as they are today. Then the focus was different! Then our focus was upon spiritual things. Our focus was on the Mishkon, the Holy place where Hashem dwelt. Then we learned Torah without concerns for earning a living. Then it was considerably easier for our natural eye to observe God as our God. Then it was easier to observe a Kingdom of Jewish people with G-d as our King Today thousands of years later this wonderful experience of thousands of years ago has become somewhat blurred!! That being the situation, it is necessary for us to take these eight days as a period of refocusing on what Hashem's intentions are for us, the Jewish people. That is why Hashem instructed us to observe this special festival. It is not the only reason but it is the center focal point of the festival. This is a block of time where we can stop and venture back thousands of years ago trying to recapture the feelings, the emotions and the spirituality that have become distant and blurred to us. It is a wonderful opportunity to do mind extension. We can mentally expand beyond our understanding by venturing back thousands of years ago to the time our ancestors lived and mentally experience what it was like. Expand upon what it may have been like living with thousands and thousands of Sukkahs. What would it have been like living in a community where God's presence was felt and visually seen in the symbols of a cloud by day and a fire by night? What would it have been like to have the Mishkon, the Kohen Godal / High Priest, the Kohanim, The Priests, The Levites? Well, we could go on and on discussing the possibilities but that's for you to imagine, to mentally expand on... Our Gematria 502 represents both Chag Ha Sukkot, meaning the Festival of Sukkot, and Mahl Choo Soh, meaning "His Kingdom, God's Kingdom!" From right to left: Mahl Choo Soh Together Chag Ha Sukkts and Mahl Choo Soh represent the concept of His Kingdom. This is the way Hashem originally intended things to be. However, our sins have separated us from that way. The Festival of Sukkts is an excellent opportunity for us to rediscover what G-d intends for His people! The Festival of Sukkot is the vehicle... the tool... the annual mile marker reminding us that God is our King. It is a reminder that our King has a Kingdom. It is a reminder to all Jews that we are the people of His Kingdom. It is a reminder for Jews to return mentally to the day and age when that was clearly more evident than today. It is a reminder for us and for our children that the day is coming when Hashem's Kingdom will be physically evident! It will be more than a spiritual reality. It will also be a physical reality!! It is a reminder that we the Jewish people must build the bridge from the Festival of Sukkot to His Kingdom just as this Gematria has done!! Wishing you the best, Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk Books by Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
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