Why is Yehoshua called Yeshu'a?
Erchin 32b: His name is written Chaser (without a Hei) to hint to a criticism 1 , that he did not request Hashem to remove the Yetzer ha'Ra for idolatry like Ezra did.
Ibn Ezra: He had three names (the third is Hoshe'a).
Erchin 32b: Moshe is not criticized for not requesting this. He did not have the merit of Eretz Yisrael to help. (Even if he did, why should he request this? After Yisrael repented from the Egel, they did not succumb to the Yetzer ha'Ra for idolatry. They served idolatry in Shitim only amidst lust for Zenus, via Bnos Midyan! - PF)
"Ki Lo Asu mi'Ymei Yeshu'a bin Nun Ken" - is it possible that from Yehoshua until Ezra, no one made Sukos?!
Erchin 32b #1: The verse equates the second Bi'ah (Ezra's entrance to Eretz Yisrael) to the first Bi'ah (of Yehoshua); Just like Yisrael started to count Shemitah and Yovel cycles and were Mekadesh Batei Ir Chomah at Bi'ah Rishonah, also at Bi'ah Sheniyah. Rashi there - "Lo Asu mi'Ymei Yeshu'a" does not refer to making Sukos, rather, to Kedushas ha'Aretz.
Erchin 32b #2: The opinion that the first Kedushah was permanent explains "va'Ya'asu... Sukos... Ki Lo Asu" to teach that they asked Hashem to remove the Yetzer ha'Ra for idolatry. (He agreed.) Ezra's merit protected over Yisrael like a Sukah.
Malbim (14, 17): Rema (OC 637:3) says not to make a Sukah in Reshus ha'Rabim. We hold that Yerushalayim was not apportioned to a Shevet. One may not rent out houses there, for it is not the owner's (it belongs to all of Yisrael). If so, they could not make Sukos there in the days of David 1 , or in any Reshus ha'Rabim! In the days of Ezra they acquired Eretz Yisrael via Chazakah, and were Mekadesh it. His Beis Din stipulated that people may make Sukos in Yerushalayim and other Reshus ha'Rabim. A Tanai Beis Din permits making a Sukah in Reshus ha'Rabim (Tosefta Bava Kama 6:13). Until now, one who did not own property could not make a Sukah. They made Sukos in the Chatzeros of the Mikdash and the Rechov of Sha'ar ha'Mayim, which are Reshus ha'Rabim. There was no Tenai in Chutz la'Aretz, especially where Nochrim live.
I.e. from David until Ezra. Before David, Yerushalayim was given to Shevatim like the rest of Eretz Yisrael. If not, all would have known that the Beis ha'Mikdash will be there! Also, Doshnah Shel Yericho was designated to give it to the one in whose portion the Beis ha'Mikdash will be built (Avos d'R. Nasan 1:35, Sifri Bamidbar 81)! Therefore, Malbim adds that they did not make Sukos in Reshus ha'Rabim also in other places. (PF)
