The Ushpizin and the Shadow

Reb Mechel of Zlotchiv zt’’l returned home from shul one night during Sukkos. As he entered the sukkah, he noticed that his Rebbetzin looked deeply distressed. After filling his becher to make Kiddush, she suddenly broke down in bitter tears.

He waited patiently until she calmed somewhat, then recited Kiddush and made Hamotzi. Only after tasting the bread did he gently ask her, “What has caused you such sorrow?”

The Rebbetzin replied with pain in her voice: “Every year on Sukkos, I merit seeing the holy Ushpizin—the spiritual guests who visit our sukkah each night. But tonight… I didn’t see them. That’s why I cried.”

Reb Mechel paused, then nodded and said calmly, “It’s not your fault. This year, the Ushpizin could not enter.” He continued, “You know, there’s a church near our sukkah. Every year, I take great care to ensure that not even a shadow from that place falls upon our sukkah, for its impurity can affect the sanctity of this holy space. But this year, I wasn’t careful enough. A corner of the sukkah has been touched by its shadow. And because of that impurity, the Ushpizin were unable to enter.”