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Teaching · Parshas Ki Seitzei

Rebuilding on Rosh Hashanah, Protecting in the Sukkah

Shabbos & Yom Tov

A teaching ofRav Moshe Chaim Luzzattoהרב משה חיים בן יעקב חי לוצאטו

The Ramchal explains that the verse about building a new house and making a guard rail for the roof (Devarim 22:8) alludes to the secret of Rosh Hashanah, when the partzuf (spiritual configuration) of Nukva is rebuilt anew. That is why everyone in the world passes before Hashem like sheep on that day, to be judged and to see how she can be rebuilt to guide them through the year. Once she is built up, we must draw around her the surrounding lights, the oros makifin, so that the forces of darkness cannot seize hold of her. This is why we build a Sukkah right after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and why its time lasts all seven days: as long as the building is not finished, we can keep drawing the protective light around her. The building is completed on Shemini Atzeres. The roof stands for the three highest sefiros, which give the main protection.

Source: Divrei Torah of the Ramchal, Parshas Ki Seitzei (on Devarim 22:8)

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