Overcoming Temptation of Materialism

There is a little known Midrash that described the last six months spent in Egypt by the Jewish people.
By this time, they were no longer enslaved as the Egyptians were being bombarded with the Ten Plagues for a whole year. Half of the year had already passed, and there was no more bondage.
At this time, the Egyptians sought Israel’s friendship and bestowed all manner of good upon them. They promised even more goodness if Israel would agree not to leave Egypt.
When the day of redemption arrived, it is written, “The children of Israel returned from Ra’amses to Sukkot, some six hundred thousand on foot.”
This only represented the number of men between the ages of twenty to sixty. It is likely that the total Jewish population that left Egypt, was around three million people.
They chose faith in Hashem and a barren desert over the new found comforts of Egypt.
Initially, Hashem rewarded them, by building special Succot protected by the Clouds of Glory.
These were not meant to feel like permanent dwellings. They were meant to teach what is temporary and what is permanent. They needed to learn that the only real security that exists in the world is complete dependence on Hashem.
This is the lesson of the Succot holiday. We leave our comfortable homes to move into the temporary dwelling of our Succah. We do this in the fall, when the weather changes and people begin looking for the shelter of their homes.
We must be reminded what is permanent and what is temporary, and what is important and what is not important. Seeking material gains and physical pleasure, will not bring contentment. Spiritual pursuits and acts of kindness, are so much more meaningful.
Our ancestors set the example when they did not allow themselves to be enticed by the comforts of Egypt. They chose G-d, and because of that decision, we are here today as a people, living in the Promised Land.