1

The holiday of Sukkos is distinguished from the other festivals, Pesach and Shavuos, by its emphasis on the quality of joy. Although all the holidays are described as "festivals for rejoicing," Pesach is also called "the season of our freedom" and Shavuos, "the season of the giving of our Torah," implying that they are characterized by services other than celebration. We refer to Sukkos as "the season of our rejoicing," implying that celebration is the essential element of the festival. Furthermore, the Torah mentions happiness three times in connection with Sukkos, establishing a Chazakah in regard to the rejoicing associated with this festival.

Within the holiday of Sukkos itself, there is an added emphasis on rejoicing on the present day. Firstly, it is a Tuesday, a day associated with a twofold good. Furthermore, it is the fourth day of Sukkos which represents the passage of the majority of the days of the holiday. Thus, the joy of the holiday has become internalized and assimilated into our personalities.

The rejoicing of the holiday of Sukkos will add to the joy of our study of Torah and performance of mitzvos throughout the entire year and thus, lead to the ultimate joy, the coming of the Messianic redemption.

2

The present month, Tishrei, is unique in regard to the other months of the year. Not only does it contain many festivals, it is also the "head" of the entire year and thus, directs the functioning of the entire year as the head directs the functioning of all the limbs of the body.

This teaches a child in Tzivos Hashem the following lesson:

It must be clear from the behavior of a child in Tzivos Hashem that G-d is the Commander-in-chief of the army and of the entire world. He, as a soldier in Tzivos Hashem, is charged with the responsibility of revealing this concept throughout the entire world.

To accomplish this, it is necessary that he possess at his disposal in his room, the weapons required for this task: a siddur to pray to G-d, a chumash to study His Torah, and a tzedakah pushkah with which to fulfill G-d's mitzvos.

On these articles (or on a sticker attached to them), the child should write his name and before it, the phrase "The earth and its fullness is G-d's." This shows that he recognizes G-d's authority over the totality of existence and accepts, as a member of Tzivos Hashem, the responsibility of publicizing this concept throughout the world. The fact that Jewish children have been charged with this responsibility implies that G-d has granted them the potential to carry out this service.

Because of the mitzvah of Ahavas Yisrael, a child should try to make his brothers, sisters, and, indeed, every Jewish child aware of this concept and of their responsibility as a member of Tzivos Hashem to spread this awareness.

Needless to say, when G-d, the Commander-in-chief of Tzivos Hashem, sees such behavior He will provide all the members of Tzivos Hashem with anything they need, protect them from any undesirable influences, and grant them health and wisdom in order to enable them to carry out this mission.

This will serve as the proper preparation for the era when all of Tzivos Hashem will gather together, awaiting the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash. There will be nothing preventing G-d from carrying out His true desire, redeeming the Jews from exile, and bringing them to Eretz Yisrael, to Jerusalem, and to the Beis HaMikdash, where we will serve Him through the sacrificial offerings.

3

As mentioned above, there is a unique emphasis on happiness in the celebration of Sukkos this year. This aspect is further enhanced by the fact that the first day of Sukkos (and similarly, Shemini Atzeres) falls on Shabbos. This adds an element of happiness as explained above. And as mentioned above, this will enhance the happiness we feel throughout the year in the study of Torah and performance of mitzvos and hasten the revelation of the ultimate happiness, the coming of Moshiach.

We will conclude this gathering with the singing of the niggun, V'samachtah b'Chagechah and the distribution of coins to be given to tzedakah. Each individual will be given three coins (and as mentioned above, three establishes a chazakah), associated with today, the third day of the week, Sukkos, the third of the festivals, and the third Beis HaMikdash which will be revealed in the immediate future as "The Torah promises: 'Ultimately, the Jews will do Teshuvah... and immediately, they will be redeemed.' "