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The agricultural processes on earth reflect the spiritual processes in heaven. Just as in the material realm, Sukkot is when we reap the benefits of the physical labors of the whole year, it is also when we reap the benefits of the whole year’s spiritual labors. Thus, Sukkot can be described as our “graduation party.”
Sukkot completes two cycles, the first of which is the yearly cycle of holidays. Sukkot is the last of the three pilgrimage festivals, which reflect the agricultural seasons in which they occur. Every winter, the growth process begins anew with planting and preparation. In the spring, everything bursts into bloom, which is when we celebrate Pesach, when the specialness of the Jewish people bursts forth. Shavuot is in the late spring, when farmers finish harvesting the grain, the primary source of people’s physical sustenance. This is when we are blessed to accept the Torah, the primary source of people’s spiritual sustenance. The process of picking fruit continues throughout the summer, and is completed around Sukkot. As we said above, Sukkot is the time of reaping both physical and spiritual benefits, which is why it is an especially joyous time.
The second cycle Sukkot completes is that of the holidays of Tishrei. Over the course of the year, we accomplish many wonderful things. However, human nature being what it is, we are almost guaranteed to sin as well. Thus, to wrap up the previous year – and start the new one – on a positive note, we must cleanse ourselves of sin by repenting during the Ten Days of Repentance. As a result, the goodness we have internalized in the course of the year remains untarnished, and we can be extra happy on the Holiday of Ingathering.
