The s’chach of the Succah, the covering that is its defining feature, must be made from things that grow from the ground.
But unlike Bikkurim, the first fruits, where the farmer brings his produce in thanksgiving, s’chach cannot be made from the fruits, or any finished useable product. Instead, the covering of the Succah is made from what the gemara calls pesoles goren vayakev, the waste matter of our granaries and wineries - actually, this includes any other non-fruit or unfinished material that grew from the ground and is no longer connected to it.
Why is this so?
The farmers marks his first fruits just as they begin to sprout. He is stil unsure of how his harvest will turn out. As he surveys his field and places a band around the branch bearing the first signs of the year's crop, his heart is filled with prayers to the Almigty to grant him blessing and success.
When Succos arrives, however, he is joyous. His harvest has yielded its bounty. His silos and wine cellars are filled. He risks falling victim to vayishman yeshurun vayivat, of becoming fat with his success and rejecting or diminishing his faith in Hashem.
Now, the Torah says, is the time to leave our comfortable homes and move into the Shelter of Hashem.
When we bring bikkurim and present them to the Kohen, we offer our produce to Hashem. When we move into the Succah, we offer ourselves. We are ourselves enveloped by Hashem's Presence. We make His Divine Shadow our residence.
Pesul denotes invalidation. To commune with Hashem requires pesoles goren vayakev, rejecting and invalidating the comfort and false security of our full storehouses, choosing instead to be protected by Hashem, as our forefathers were in the Wilderness.
As we sit in our Sukkos, may we all merit to connect with Hashem, to sense His Presence, and may we experience His protection and blessing throughout Yom Tov and the year.
Gut Yom Tov.
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