בס"ד
Sukkot and Joy – For Bnei Noach
Based on the Chassidic teachings “Praise G-d” 5726 (1966)
This class summarizes the teaching of two chassidic discourses by the Rebbe on Psalm 117 of year 1966 and it’s relationship with the holiday of Sukkot. Through the spiritual work of the Jews during Elul, Rosh HaShana and Yom Kipur, the Jews refine the nations of the world during Sukkot, gaining a special joy in Shemini Atzeret that influences the nations of the world.
Let’s talk about something that sounds simple: why Sukkot is a festival of joy — also for non-Jews (Bnei Noach).
The Rebbe spoke about this in 1966, based on Psalm 117, the shortest psalm in the entire Book of Psalms:
- “Praise G-d, all you peoples; extol Him, all you nations.
- For His kindness has been mighty over us, and the truth of G-d is eternal. Hallelu-kah!”
It seems short and clear, but there’s a lot hidden inside.
Three main questions arise:
- Why should other nations praise G-d for kindness shown “over us” — meaning, over the Jewish people?
- What’s the difference between “peoples” (goyim) and “nations” (le’umim)?
- What does it mean that “the truth of G-d is eternal”?
Let’s explore this step by step.
The Holidays in Sequence
From the month of Elul through Sukkot, the Jewish calendar forms one great spiritual journey:
- Elul: preparation — reflecting on the past year and making resolutions.
- Rosh HaShanah: crowning G-d as King.
- Yom Kippur: forgiveness — the 13 Attributes of Divine Mercy are revealed.
- Sukkot: that mercy flows down into the physical world, into everyday life.
The 70 Bulls of Sukkot
During Sukkot, the Torah commands the offering of 70 bulls in the Temple. The sages explain that these 70 offerings represented the 70 nations of the world.
In other words: the Jewish people brought sacrifices not only for themselves, but for the well-being of all humanity — for rain, harvest, prosperity, and peace.
The Talmud even says: “If the nations had known how much blessing they received from the Temple, they would have guarded it instead of destroying it.”
What Those Offerings Accomplish
On a simple level, they bring sustenance — the world’s livelihood. On a deeper level, they bring spiritual refinement:
awakening within every person the awareness that they too have a direct relationship with G-d.
Every human being can know and feel G-d — no intermediaries needed.
Sukkot helps awaken that awareness.
Psalm 117 Revisited
Now the psalm becomes clearer:
“Praise G-d, all you peoples; extol Him, all you nations;
for His kindness has been mighty over us…”
First, kindness is shown “over us” (Yom Kippur),
then it flows outward to the nations (Sukkot).
But the psalm lists it in reverse — first the nations, then the kindness. That means there’s something even deeper coming afterward.
Shemini Atzeret – The Eighth Day
After Sukkot comes Shemini Atzeret — literally “the Eighth Day of Assembly.”
The Midrash gives a parable:
A king (G-d) made a seven-day feast for all his servants (the nations). When it ended, he said to his son (the Jewish people):
“Stay with me one more day; it’s hard for me to see you go.”
That’s Shemini Atzeret — a private, intimate celebration between G-d and Israel.
But, as the Rebbe explains, even though the other nations aren’t “at the table,” they still receive blessing from that intimacy. The overflowing joy radiates to the entire world.
Two Kinds of Refinement
Psalm 117 uses two words:
Goyim (peoples) en Le’umim (nations).
These refer to two levels of spiritual refinement among the nations:
- Peoples (goyim): the good within them is elevated, the evil disappears.
- Nations (le’umim): even the negative aspects can be transformed for good — though at a lower, subordinate level.
So Sukkot refines everything — both the light and the dark.
The Truth of G-d “Le-Olam”
The final verse says:
“And the truth of G-d is eternal.”
In Hebrew, “le-olam” can also mean “to the world.”
That means the truth of G-d becomes visible within the world itself — in every creature, every moment, every thing.
This is the highest level of refinement: not just removing the negative, but recognizing that everything exists because of G-d’s word — His truth within creation.
What This Means for Us
For both Jews and non-Jews, the message is the same:
Every human being can feel joy in their connection with G-d.
Jews connect to G-d through observing the 613 geboden,
en non-Jews through keeping the Seven Universal Laws and their ramifications.
But there is something that’s a game changer -
something that elevates these observances and takes them to the next level: awareness.
When you serve G-d with the consciousness that I am part of His plan,
that He loves me, listens to me, and desires my closeness,
your actions are transformed with deeper meaning and genuine joy.
That joy — your joy, our joy —
ultimately unites the entire world in His truth.
“The truth of G-d is for the world. Praise G-d!”
With thanks to Rabbi Tuvia Serber for the shiur and the feedback.
See the long version of this class overhere
sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com/tehillim-117-praise-g-d-all-you-peoples
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