They Shall Dwell in Sukkot: Two Sukkot Stories

"They Shall Dwell in Sukkot"

Several years ago two friends of our family invited my wife and me to join them for lunch in their sukkah. Bob was a successful professional. He and his family lived in a lovely, nicely-furnished home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We sat in their family room for a few minutes and chatted while our wives finished preparing the lunch. After filling our plates, we all proceeded to their back yard to sit in the sukkah. What a unique structure it was! The most unusual sukkah I have ever seen. On each of the four corners two cinder blocks had been stacked on top of each other. They held a 4-inch by 4-inch post. The four posts supported a roof made of chicken wire fencing and covered with schach. The walls were old bed sheets that had been tied to the sides of this simple frame. The contrast between this simple sukkah and their beautiful home could not have been more startling.

"I love to have my lunch out here," Bob said. Gesturing toward the house he continued, "It reminds me how quickly all of this could be gone. 'But for the grace of G-d...' "

This Sukkot may each of us be reminded of our dependence upon the Almighty for our sustenance. And be grateful!

Sukkot 5774

"O Jacob, My Exalted Guest"

We once lived in a very crowded neighborhood where every move you made was visible to the neighbors. Across from our back yard lived a young Catholic family with whom we had become quite friendly. One year we invited them to join us for dinner in our sukkah. It so happened that they joined us on the third night of the holiday.

They sat in the sukkah as we explained to them about the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah. We asked each of the men in the family to wear a kipah as we said the blessings. I then explained the tradition of inviting Ushpizin into the sukkah. Their young son was particularly interested in this celebration, so I began to explain how each night we honored a different biblical figure. "Tonight," I said, "is Jacob's night." The little boy's eyes suddenly sparkled! You see, his name was Jacob. It was his night!

At the beginning of every school year from then until we moved away, Jacob would come home and look out his kitchen window to see when the top of our sukkah would appear over our fence. On the third day, he would promptly march into our yard, select a kipah to wear, and sit in our sukkah. It was his special day. Jacob had arrived!

As we each sit in our own sukkot this year, may we learn the lesson that Jacob has taught me. That this festival is our special time. G-d wants to dwell with us here in these little huts. Each day is made just for us. It is personal and intimate. Let us hurry to join Him! And may Hashem spread over us all the Sukkah of His Peace. Hag sameach.

Related links:
Sukkot History, Customs and Rituals (URJ)
"Your Sukkot Headquarters" (OU)
Sukkot Activities for Children