Ask 10 people what their favorite holiday is and 8 out of 10 if not more will say “Succos.”

So I did ask people. And here’s some of what they said:

*-“I think it’s because we’re so happy after Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. We’re all together and it’s family. I don’t know why exactly but we all just enjoy Succos.

* “It’s so nice here. I think about how we had to wear our winter coats and it was snowing in America but here it is always beautiful. One thing we always made for Succos in Americawas this fleishig split pea soup to keep warm. When we came to Israel I kept making it until one day I asked myself Why am I still making hot soup it’s boiling out! I liked it when it was cold outside but here in Hashem’s backyard we don’t have to worry so much.”

* “On Sukkos it’s about going back to simplicity. It’s an Ohel that Hashem gives to let us have a taste of what was and what will be. It’s one big tent of holiness.”

* “Did you ever go to an amusement park? You have the fun house and the house of horrors and the roller coasters. So the fun house is fun and the house of horrors and the roller coasters give that adrenaline high. But if there was a succah there everyone would probably look at it and think ‘What is this little house?’ And then they would go in and say Wow! It’s a happiness booth.”

* “I love Succos because it’s like being alone with Hashem and He’s so clearly taking care of us. We’re not distracted by what we ourselves build up for security. I also love how everyone loves their own succah no matter what it looks like. No one from the outside looking in could ever understand how much simchah one has from their own succah.

* “It’s like a rotisserie. Hashem says ‘Okay you’ve cooked enough on the gashmius [materialistic] side now let’s turn you over to the ruchnius [spiritual] side.

And me? I interviewed myself as well. My answer was Succos too. Here’s why…

Many reasons the season the air the winds the smells the warmth of family snuggled together.  

But what I love most about Succos is that it goes against everything that appears to be true. Things aren’t always exactly as they appear. We buy teddy bears and Winnie the Poohs for children and think of bears as cuddly when they’re really dangerous.

This is when I thought Succos is the same thing.

A person could easily think their happiness is in their comfortable decorated convenience-laden home.

But in fact it is the opposite. Hashem knows what’s best. He knows how to make us truly happy. He says build a succah — four walls a few branches on top now live there. That’s it. Ultimate happiness.

Like one of the people who responded said: “It’s a happiness booth.”