264. Come and see, whatever kindness (Chesed) the Holy One, blessed be He, did to Yisrael, He attached the seven clouds of glory to it, WHICH CORRESPOND TO CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD, YESOD AND MALCHUT. And He connected them to the Congregation of Yisrael, WHICH IS MALCHUT, since her cloud was connected to the others six, CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD. Thus Yisrael walked in the desert with all seven clouds. The reason is that they were all the bonds of Faith, ATTACHED TO MALCHUT THAT IS CALLED FAITH. In relation to that SCRIPTURE SAYS, "You shall dwell in booths seven days" (Vayikra 23:42), THE SECRET OF THE SEVEN CLOUDS OF GLORY THAT WENT WITH YISRAEL IN THE DESERT. What does that teach us? HE ANSWERS, It is written, "I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste" (Shir Hashirim 2:3), THE SECRET OF THE SHADOW OF THE CLOUDS OF GLORY AND THE SECRET OF THE SHADOW OF THE SUKKAH. Man should display himself sitting under the shadow of Faith.

268. It is therefore written, "all that are home born in Yisrael shall dwell in booths" (Vayikra 23:42), for whoever is from the root and holy stock of Yisrael shall dwell in booths under the shadow of Faith. Whoever is not from the holy stock and root of Yisrael shall not dwell in them, but excludes himself from under the shadow of Faith.

270. "You shall dwell in booths (Heb. Sukkot)." SUKKOT IS SPELLED WITHOUT VAV, because THIS SUKKOT ALLUDES to one cloud only, WHICH IS CHESED, to which all SIX CLOUDS are attached. HENCE THERE ARE SEVEN DAYS, as it is written, "And the cloud of Hashem was upon them by day" (Bemidbar 10:34), and, "and that You go before them by day time in a pillar of cloud" (Bemidbar 14:14), which is Aaron's cloud, WHICH IS CHESED that is called "by day," as it is written, "Yet Hashem will command His Chesed in the daytime" (Tehilim 42:9). One cloud, WHICH IS CHESED, receives with it five other clouds, WHICH ARE GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD, so they are six. Another cloud, of which is written, "and in a pillar of fire by night" (Bemidbar 14:14), WHICH IS MALCHUT, shines on Yisrael from the illumination of the six CLOUDS.

271. Ra'aya Meheimna (the Faithful Shepherd). "You shall dwell in booths (Heb. Sukkot) seven days" (Vayikra 23:42). It is a commandment to dwell in a Sukkah. We explained that its purpose is to show that Yisrael dwell in the secret of Faith, THE SECRET OF THE SHADOW OF THE SUKKAH entirely without fear OF DENOUNCING, since the prosecutor has already separated from them ON YOM KIPPUR THROUGH THE GOAT GIVEN TO AZAZEL. Whoever is in the secret of Faith dwells in a Sukkah, as we explained from the words, "all that are home born in Yisrael shall dwell in booths" (Ibid.), THAT IS, whoever is in the secret of Faith of the seed and root of Yisrael shall dwell in Sukkot. This mystery was brought in several places.

276. Come and see, when man sits in this apartment, IN THE SUKKAH, which is the shadow of Faith, the Shechinah spreads her wings over him from above and Abraham, WHO IS CHESED and five other righteous, THE SECRET OF GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD fix their dwelling with him. This is the meaning of, "You shall dwell in booths (Heb. Sukkot) seven days" (Vayikra 23:42). It is written, "seven days," WHICH ALLUDES TO CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD, YESOD AND MALCHUT, instead of, 'in seven days.' Similarly it is written, "for six days Hashem made heaven and earth" (Shemot 31:17), INSTEAD OF 'IN SIX DAYS.' THEY TOO INDICATE THE SUPERNAL SIX DAYS, CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD THAT MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH. One should rejoice every day with a joyful countenance in those guests, CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD, YESOD AND MALCHUT that dwell with him.

277. Rabbi Aba said, It is written, "You shall dwell in booths (Heb. SUKKOT) seven days," and then, "shall dwell in booths" (Vayikra 23:42). IT first SAYS, "You shall dwell" and then, they "shall dwell." HE ANSWERS, The first one is for the guests, CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD, YESOD AND MALCHUT, AND THEREFORE THE TEXT SPEAKS IN THE SECOND PERSON. The second is for people in general, FOR WHICH REASON THE TEXT SAYS IN THE THIRD PERSON, "SHALL DWELL." The first is for the guests. Rav Hamnuna Saba, for example, when he entered the Sukkah, used to stay happily on the inner threshold of the Sukkah, and say, Let us invite the guest. He set the table, stood up and blessed, 'TO DWELL IN THE SUKKAH,' then said, "You shall dwell in booths seven days." Sit down, lofty guests, sit you down. Sit down, guests of Faith, sit you down. He joyfully raised his hands and said, 'Happy is our lot, happy the lot of Yisrael, as it is written, "for Hashem's portion is His people" (Devarim 32:9). Then he would sit down.