The holiday of Sukkot is strange. Pesach, for example, is clearly about the Exodus, which was a well-described event in the Torah. Shavuot, while not associated expressly with the Giving of the Torah, nonetheless has been identified with this clear historical event of major significance.
Sukkot, however, is described by the Torah in Vayikra as being a commemoration of the "Sukkot I caused the Israelites to dwell in when I brought them out of Egypt." First of all, where is the account of those Sukkot? Nowhere! All there is is a place named Sukkot where the Israelites first encamped as they left Egyptian bondage. Secondly, even if there were a clear historical record of God making Sukkot for us, does this merit a major festival? Is it on the level of the Exodus, or the Sinaitic Revelation? If anything Sukkot should become part of the Pesach ritual. Eat matza in the sukkah from the second day on. So why is this holiday celebrated?
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