We are now preparing for Succot, and as as we will soon see, Ahavat Yisrael/Loving your fellow Jew is a part of this holiday (and all holidays).
The Midrash Raba in Vayikrah (chapter 30, section 12) says that the Arba Minim/Four Species that we use on the holiday correspond to the Jewish people. Firstly, the Etrog, which has a good taste and a good smell, refers to those among the Jewish people that have Torah and good deeds. The palm tree has a good taste (from the dates) but has no particular smell, and represents the Jews that have Torah but not good deeds.
The Hadasim have a good smell, but no taste, and refer to the Jews that have good deeds but don’t have Torah. The Aravot/willow has no taste or smell, and it represents the Jewish people who have neither Torah nor good deeds.
So God says, “Should I destroy the Jews that don’t have anything? I can’t do that..
Instead….
יוקשרו כולם אגודה אחת
Let Me tie them together as one unit
והן מכפרין אלו על אלו
And they will atone for each other.
When the Jewish people are together, they gain from each other. The wicked might learn to give charity or have something else to offer.
When they are together, they influence each other for the good, and that brings kapara.
ואם עשיתם כך אותה שעה אני מתעלה הה"ד
If you do that, then I am lifted up, as the pasuk says,
הבונה בשמים מעלותיו ואימתי
God builds His levels in Heaven,
ואגודתו על ארץ יסדה
And we must have an Agudah/ a grouping down here
This is where the organization “Agudah” gets its name.
This is what happens on the holiday of Succot.
The Satmar Rebbe adds that even though we put them together, only three out of the four are actually tied together. The Etrog, which has both good smell and taste and refers to the Sadik, is not tied in with the other three, because the Sadik is not supposed to be knotted up with the rest of the group. He’s supposed to be on a higher level. He’s not supposed to be in all of the places where the rest of the Jewish people are. He belongs in the Bet Midrash. He can come out and connect for a moment, and touch together, but he separates himself.
It’s not that everyone has to mix and mingle with everyone at all times. There are certain places that maybe the Sadik does not belong.
But one way or another, the Jewish people have to view themselves as united, and that brings their kapara.
On Succot, after Yom Kippur and the whole process, this is yet more advice to bring success to the Jewish people: we have the concept of an Aguda/ a grouping, and that is what Ahavat Yisrael accomplishes. Have a wonderful day.