A Sukkah within a Sukkah

What is the "Halacha" when Sukkot comes and the entire world is already a "Sukka?" Do you have to build one? (Please bear in mind this is strictly a metaphysical query; I'm not suggesting or wondering if one actually has to build a sukka during Covid-19. Ya gotta.) If our planetary existence is an extended howl in a desolate, cold, devil dark wilderness, is that not Sukka enough? If there ever was a proverbial worldwide Sukka, is the ongoing uncertainty of Covid-19 itself, one that encompasses all of civilization as we know it, not the largest universal Sukka ever?

This dilemma has Biblical roots in the story of Korach and his Rebelerz. No, it's not a heavy metal band. Korach, angling for a piece of the leadership action, was fueled by an "abolish all hierarchy" anti-elitist platform. His nepotism-crushing battle cry is a well-known biblical classic "Kee kol Haam kulom kedoshim uvetocham hashem... madua 'tis Nasu ... The entire community is Holy with G-d in its midst, why would one be elevated over another?" He highlights his position rhetorically, with a hypothetical scenario - "does a house filled with holy books require a mezuza scroll?"

He failed to see the downside of championing the individual in the pursuit of a homogenous equality that ironically ends up bypassing the very individuality he claimed to be advocating for. I will respond from my gut. My reaction to these twin scenarios, both ancient and modern, is predicated on the discovery of a third dimension. Simply put, I believe each Biblical precedent continuously manifests itself throughout history in macro and micro forms. The macro typically surfaces within the context of broad cultural phenomena. The micro is the discovery of that link on an individual existential basis.

The true secret to the continuity of the Biblical voice lies in commitment to uphold a radical openness to what was and what is; coupled with a genuine curiosity to engage with whatever comes up for US in that moment. In that light, a personal question: Do you ever find yourself looking outward for cues to how you should be feeling? I know I do. When that happens I try and catch myself and remember that generic feelings, positive or negative, are at best counterintuitive. Shouldn't a feeling originate within oneself? It's almost like the way you feel trying to guess a riddle, while managing the anxiety of being told the answer: "...don't tell... please don't say the answer..."! Why would we feel less strident about our own emotions than guessing the correct answer in Pictionary?

You might wonder why I'm sharing the way I like to "read" or study Torah. My answer to you is that the ENTIRE approach of LIVING with Torah, an approach drilled into us by the Rebbe for years and years, is powered by this very episode.

Moses wasn't lording it over Korach. In fact Moses had the unique distinction of wielding the most power in the history of our people and being its least power-hungry figure. His was first and foremost a nod to the G-d who had tapped him for a post he was reluctant to accept. His loyalty to maintaining the existing hierarchy was less about establishing castes of superiority and inferiority and more about encouraging and celebrating individuality. "Yes indeed Korach, a house filled with sacredness is filled with holiness, however the innate graciousness of that sacred energy shines is compromised when the light of the individual is lost."

"Yes, Korach, I agree," says Moses. "Each one of us is holy, and that's the best argument to include the MEZUZA despite the presence of a houseful of holy writings!" In fact, the humble scroll on the outside of the home symbolizes the powerful force of "protection" that surpasses the power of an entire home filled with the sacredness of others.

So now that we've squared all that away, let's return to the original question. The reality of a universal Covid Sukka we have all dwelled in since February is all the MORE reason to carve out our own personal sukka within the wider existential societal one. The grief and uncertainty that we undergo collectively cannot replace our obligation to assess how this has impacted US AS INDIVIDUALS. Building a Sukka THIS year gives us the space to step out of the wider Sukka, and dwell in the personal Sukka. This space is the ideal opportunity to reflect on the healthy and unhealthy ways our lives have been altered. The Sukka we must build and inhabit is held together by mind-full ways we process a wider communal grief; as individuals. "Velachtem Lachem": "you shall bring these (4 species) to you." You are truly sitting in your own Sukka each time you ask yourself the questions that have been answered on your behalf. What comes up when you privatise the communal sukkah? Who are you existentially and how have YOU been impacted, changed, or even traumatized, in the context of wandering in THIS wilderness?

The Sukka within a Sukka that we must build this year is as critical as the Mezuza within the presence of existing holy writ that we must still affix.