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Ushpizin
According to the kaballah, the Jewish mystical tradition,
the Divine Presence (Shechina) accompanies every Jew into the
sukkah. The Shechina is accompanied by the seven shepherds of
Israel: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aharon, and David.
Why are these seven personalities invited into the sukkah?
The Sukkah, the temporary dwelling, reminds Jews of the time of
wandering in the wilderness. Each of the seven ushpizin lived
through their own exile under the guidance of G-d.
1)
Abraham - went forth from his homeland
and his father's house to go to Canaan, the unknown place that
G-d would show him (Genesis).
2)
Isaac - went to Gerar in the Kingdom of Philistia when
there was famine (Genesis).
3)
Jacob - left his home to protect
himself from his brother and to find a wife (Genesis).
4)
Joseph - was sold into slavery and
taken to Egypt (Genesis)
5) Moses - led the nation out of
slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness and to the borders of
the Promised Land (Exodus).
6)
Aharon -led the nation in the wilderness
in his role as High Priest (Exodus).
7)
David - was driven into the wilderness
to avoid the wrath of Saul (I Samuel).
Each
of the seven ushpizin also personify character traits which strengthen
the Divine Presence in this world:
1)
Abraham - loving-kindness
2)
Isaac - inner strength
3)
Jacob - truth
4)
Joseph - righteousness
5)
Moses - Divine eternity
6)
Aharon - Divine grandeur
7)
David - Divine sovereignty
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