Shomer Hashem es kol ohavav, v’es kol ha’r’sha’im yashmid.
Hashem protects all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
Those who serve Hashem out of love are protected by Hashem from the outset. The Radak tells us that all of klal Yisrael will be on this level in the future, b’ezras Hashem. The Rokei’ach teaches that the word “es” comes to include those who listen to, serve, and love those who serve Hashem out of love.
Rabbeinu Bachya (Kad HaKemach, under “Mezuzah”) writes that “ohavav” actually refers to klal Yisrael as a nation, in contradistinction to the other nations. Hashem Himself watches over us and guides us through hashgachah pratis, whereas other nations do not enjoy this special relationship. In order to strengthen the emunah in our hearts that Hashem watches over us at all times, He commanded us with the mitzvah of Mezuzah as a reminder: Each time we enter our homes, we are reminded that His protection will not leave us. The Rambam (Hilchos Mezuzah 6:13) teaches that whenever one enters and leaves, one should remember the love of Hashem towards us.
The Yom Tov of Sukkos has an especially meaningful connection to our focus pasuk. The Sukkah represents our being watched over by Hashem. We come out of our protected homes with solid roofs and locks to enter into a seemingly unprotected hut. The message is that it is not the locks and roof that protect us. It is Hashem. We rejoice over the miracles and goodness that Hashem performed for us when He took us out of Mitzrayim and protected us with the Ananei HaKavod (Clouds of Glory). Perhaps one can say that our emunah in Hashem’s love, hashgachah, and protection, symbolized by the Sukkah, is another one of the significant reasons for our joy on this Yom Tov of Sukkos. When we have absolute emunah and bitachon, enabling us to live with the certainty that all that Hashem does is for the good, we will not only merit great reward in Olam HaBa, but will also enjoy serenity (m’nuchas ha’nefesh) and simchah in this world as well.
May we be zocheh to take the simchah of “Z’man Simchaseinu,” which we celebrate each Sukkos, along with us throughout the year.
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