This Shabbat falls on one of the intermediate days (Hol Ha Moed) of Sukkot, so our Torah reading is a special one rather than part of our annual cycle.
Sukkot follows the intense self-reflection of the Days of Awe: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. After these 10 days of deep spiritual work, we build fragile structures and “dwell” in them for seven days.
If Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are about mortality, forgiveness and the meaning and purpose of our lives, Sukkot calls us to reflect on gratitude.
In ancient Israel, Sukkot celebrated the fall harvest and the beginning of the rainy season–both essential to the survival or our ancestors, who lived in a semi-arid land and relied on what they could grow. Thus, the holiday was a thanksgiving for the harvest and the agricultural bounty that would carry the Israelites through the winter.
But why build booths; what do they have to do with gratitude? There is a debate between R’ Akiva and R’ Eliezer in the Talmud (Sukkot 11:B). R’ Akiva argues that the Sukkot represent the booths that the Israelites built when they were wandering in the desert (sukkot mamash), while R’ Eliezer claims that they represent the clouds of God’s Glory that protected the Iraelites throughout their wanderings.
Perhaps they are both right. The sukkah symbolizes our partnership with God. The Israelites built booths for physical shelter, but God protected and guided them as well.
The sukkah is our symbol that we are God’s agents in the world. We are morally called to bring God’s protection and bounty to all who do not have it. When we do that we merit the fulfillment of our desire that God spread the sukkah of peace over all humanity and the world.
Shabbat Hol Ha Moed Sukkot – Special Readings – Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:16, Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18 – 39:16, Book of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet)
October 18, 2019 by Dean Kertesz •
This Shabbat falls on one of the intermediate days (Hol Ha Moed) of Sukkot, so our Torah reading is a special one rather than part of our annual cycle.
Sukkot follows the intense self-reflection of the Days of Awe: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. After these 10 days of deep spiritual work, we build fragile structures and “dwell” in them for seven days.
If Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are about mortality, forgiveness and the meaning and purpose of our lives, Sukkot calls us to reflect on gratitude.
In ancient Israel, Sukkot celebrated the fall harvest and the beginning of the rainy season–both essential to the survival or our ancestors, who lived in a semi-arid land and relied on what they could grow. Thus, the holiday was a thanksgiving for the harvest and the agricultural bounty that would carry the Israelites through the winter.
But why build booths; what do they have to do with gratitude? There is a debate between R’ Akiva and R’ Eliezer in the Talmud (Sukkot 11:B). R’ Akiva argues that the Sukkot represent the booths that the Israelites built when they were wandering in the desert (sukkot mamash), while R’ Eliezer claims that they represent the clouds of God’s Glory that protected the Iraelites throughout their wanderings.
Perhaps they are both right. The sukkah symbolizes our partnership with God. The Israelites built booths for physical shelter, but God protected and guided them as well.
The sukkah is our symbol that we are God’s agents in the world. We are morally called to bring God’s protection and bounty to all who do not have it. When we do that we merit the fulfillment of our desire that God spread the sukkah of peace over all humanity and the world.