Welcoming the Ushpizin
A Guide to Embracing Sukkot’s Spiritual Guests
The concept of Ushpizin, inviting holy guests into our Sukkah, may seem fantastical, but it offers profound meaning. Each night of Sukkot, we symbolically welcome not only those in need of a meal but also a biblical figure from generations past, embodying the qualities they represent. Many thinkers have pondered this tradition, with one approach suggesting that although these guests are unseen, with the right awareness, they can come to life within us and those around us. Each evening highlights a characteristic associated with one of these souls, inviting us to embody their best qualities and recognize them in ourselves and our guests. Rooted in the Zohar, a foundational text of Jewish mysticism, this custom transcends time, connecting us across generations. In this guide, we will explore each character, studying a passage from the Zohar that illuminates their unique traits and offers insights relevant to our lives today. Through these reflections, and with an accompanying video to bring each idea to life, we can consider how to make these values real in our own lives.