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The sukka surrounds us on all sides, symbolizing the harmonious ingathering and unification of everything good we have done throughout the year. For most of the year, when each virtue stands on its own, the Jews are not united. But on the Holiday of Ingathering, thanks to the mitzva of sukka, all the virtues – even those which may seem to be incompatible with one another – come together and complement one another. For this reason, the sukka is referred to as “the sukka of peace.” The four species convey a message of unity as well (section 15 below).
Sukkot also expresses world peace, since its ingathering includes everything advantageous about all the different nations. For this reason, the Torah commands us to offer seventy bulls in the Temple over the course of Sukkot. This number represents the nations of the world.
Admittedly, our relationship with non-Jews is complicated. Over the course of our long history, non-Jews have often treated us very badly. Nevertheless, our basic attitude towards them is positive and loving.
