The Zohar, in Parashat Emor (p. 103b), elaborates on the significance of the "Ushpizin," our inviting our patriarchs as our guests to the Succa (listen to audio recording for precise citation). Rabbi Abba, as the Zohar cites, notes that when the Torah introduces the command to reside in the Succa, it says, "Ba’Succot Teshbu Shibat Yamim" ("You shall reside in Succot for seven days"), in the second person form, and then says, "Yeshbu Ba’Succot" ("they shall reside in Succot"), in the third person. The meaning of these two phrases, Rabbi Abba explains, is that we first tell the Ushpizin to come and sit in the Succa, and then we sit ourselves. The word "Teshbu" refers to our inviting the guests to sit, and then the second term – "Yeshbu" – refers to our own sitting in the Succa.
The Zohar then proceeds to describe the practice of Rav Hamnuna Saba, who would joyously enter the Succa and proceed to the inner section of the Succa, as the Ushpizin should not be invited near the door. He would announce, "Let us invite the Ushpizin," and then set the table, stand up, recite the Beracha over the Succa, and then say, "Ba’Succot Teshbu Shiba Yamim – sit, holy Ushpizin, sit, the Ushpizin who bring Emuna!" He would then lift his head and jubilantly exclaim, "How fortunate are we!" citing the verse, "Ki Helek Hashem Amo" – "For G-d’s portion is His nation."
The Zohar adds, however, that a crucial part of the Ushpizin concept is bringing joy to the poor, either by inviting them to one’s Succa together with the Ushpizin, or by giving them charity in the Ushpizin’s honor. The Ushpizin derive enjoyment not from the food served in the Succa, but rather from the assistance lent to the poor, and thus besides inviting the Ushpizin into our Succa, we must also ensure to care for the needy as part of our hosting these special guests.
