What is the fantastic “Feast of the Leviathan” and what connects it to Sukkot?
The Gemara in Bava Batra 75a describes a feast in the future wherein the Leviathan is served to the righteous while they sit in sukkot constructed of the skin of that same Leviathan.
But what is the Leviathan?
Rashi on “God created the great serpents” (Bereishit 1:21) quotes Bava Batra 74b and explains it is referring here to the Leviathan and its mate which God created, male and female. God, however, killed the female and preserved it in salt for the benefit of the righteous in Olam Haba, for had the Leviathans, the great sea serpents, been permitted to be fruitful and to multiply, the world could not have endured because of them.
But why is Bereishit and these sea monsters the centerpiece and setting for the meal in sukkot?
The Maharal explains that this world should have been the apex of completion of God’s power. Unfortunately, the world could not handle it and the true appreciation of God had to be reserved and preserved for the future.
But who is the most honored guest at this meal?
In Pesachim 119b, there is a discussion about who will be given the honor of leading the Birkat Hamazon after the seuda of the Leviathan in Olam Haba. Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe and Yehoshua all turn it down for various reasons relating to seemingly minor faults: Avraham for begetting Yishmael, Yitzchak for begetting Esav, Yaakov for marrying two sisters, Moshe for never entering the land of Israel, and Yehoshua for not having children. Then when it is David HaMelech’s turn, he says he will lead Birkat Hamazon, and it is fitting, as it says in Tehillim, כוס ישועות אשא ובשם ה’ אקרא— I will lift up the cup of salvation and call out in Hashem’s Name. How can this be? Didn’t David HaMelech kill thousands of people in war? Didn’t he personally admit sinning even more egregiously than everyone else at the meal for stealing Batsheva and causing the death of Uriyah?
The answer can be found in a statement of Rabbi Avahu in Gemara Brachot 34b: “מקום שבעלי תשובה עומדין – צדיקים גמורים אינם עומדין—Where a person has sinned and repented stands, a completely righteous individual who never sinned cannot stand.”
David HaMelech, when confronted by Natan HaNavi for his wrongdoings with Batsheva and hearing his punishment, immediately admits his mistake saying, “’חטאתי לה’ — I have sinned against God.” He doesn’t give any excuses; he admits his sin. What made David HaMelech the greatest king was not his flawless and perfect track record, but his ability to admit his mistakes and sins and use all his efforts towards being the best person he can be, mistakes and all.
Recently there has been a trend of “canceling,” of removing historical or modern leaders based on a singular flaw that goes against the current zeitgeist, the currently accepted “enlightened” views. It is important to remember, before judging someone based on what we have heard through social media or the news, that we verify and know that what we say is true. Whether or not the rumors are true or false, we must also give ourselves and others a chance to repent before condemning them in the court of public opinion. Just like we know we are not perfect, we shouldn’t expect others to be. What is truly important is that we take responsibility for our actions and try to be the best person we can be.
Rabbi Metzger is a mechanech at Orot Etzion in Efrat, the director of Night Seder at Midreshet Amudim, and an educator worldwide through the Lookstein Center’s Virtual Academy. He and his family now live in Alon Shvut, Israel. Rabbi Chaim Metzger was rabbinic assistant at BAYT from 2020 to 2022, and an avreich of Beit Midrash Zichron Dov. Please send questions and comments to [email protected]
