Why the Feast of Tabernacles epitomizes rejoicing
By Jonathan Rosenblum    
Succos is a lot more than a mere "harvest festival"
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | There is a mitzva (religious duty) of rejoicing on each of the three pilgrimage festivals of the Jewish calendar. We are encouraged to have festive meals, with meat and wine, and husbands are enjoined to buy their wives new clothing or jewelry for the holiday.
Yet of the three festivals only Succos is specifically known as zman simchaseinu — the time of our rejoicing.
When the Holy Temple stood, this rejoicing was expressed in the dancing and celebrations connected to the water libations throughout the festival. And even today, Succos retains a special place in the hearts of Jews in Israel, as attested to by the Succa huts going up everywhere, in religious and secular neighborhoods alike.
But what exactly is the special connection between Succos and joy? A hint to the answer lies in a puzzling Midrash. The Midrash asks why we begin building our succa hut immediately after our judgment for the coming year was sealed on Yom Kippur. The Midrash answers that perhaps the Jewish people received a judgment of exile, but in lieu ...   more »