Making Connections

Sukkot is about making connections. One connection suggested by Sukkot is connecting with our fellow humans. Despite our often turbulent relationship with Christianity over the centuries, our Christian neighbors are trying to make connections in a new and surprising way. Two brief examples will suffice. A television pastor based in Texas recently taught his flock how to enhance their prayer life by wearing a tallit. A Bible college in New York State conducts a Passover seder on their Holy Thursday. This phenomenon is still spreading for a very simple reason. They want what we’ve got. They think that by copying our rituals they will find our secret.

We Jews have something special. We can be proud of who we are and what we represent. Unfortunately too often we are so concerned about declaring the universalism of our message that we sacrifice our uniqueness. It is precisely that unique quality of Judaism that makes our rituals so appealing. Our connection with God empowers us. Our connection with each other enables us.

When poet Emma Lazarus wrote “The New Colossus,” she painted a word picture of a country able to transform “huddled masses” not only socially and economically but spiritually as well. That has been the Jews’ unique contribution to society over the millennia of our existence. Good people do good deeds because “it’s the right thing to do.” And good things happen. People in need have their needs met. But when we climb just a little higher on Rambam’s ladder, when our motivation comes from a genuine love for mankind, when our neshamah inspires us to act, the world can be changed, one life at a time. Imagine what can be accomplished by everyday acts of kindness. During this holiday reach out to a world full of desperately needy people and invite them, Jew or gentile, into your spiritual sukkah. Comfort someone in mourning. Call someone who you know is lonely. Visit someone who isn’t feeling well. You might just change a life.

I close with just one little story from my favorite teacher, my daughter Arianna. My wife Valerie and Arianna were at Children’s Hospital. As often happens Valerie was engaged in a conversation with another mother and her daughter, who was about Arianna’s age. The mother suddenly began to cry. Valerie of course wanted to know if there was a problem. “Oh no,” the mother assured her. “Your daughter just gave my little girl the greatest gift ever!” The little girl had been born with all her faculties but lost her hearing as a result of disease. She had learned sign language but thought that she was the only girl in the world who talked with her hands. She was alone in her silence. Until she met Arianna. We had taught Anna some simple sign language and she absorbed it like a sponge. Using her skill to connect with this stranger, Arianna and her new friend were having a silent conversation using their hands. Suddenly this little girl was no longer alone. What gift might you have to share with the world?

This year as we leave our safe and secure homes and sit in our sukkot with the leaky roof, our challenge is to move out of our comfort zone and dare to be vulnerable; to connect with God in a new and personal way; to connect positively with our fellow Jews, even when we disagree; to connect with our world by simple but profound deeds. Perhaps this is the year to reach new spiritual heights, to come together and to bring about that more peaceful world for which we all pray. On this holiday let us celebrate what we and God together may accomplish.

Chag Sameach.

Related links:

The Meaning of Hesed
An Introduction to Sukkot

Dwelling in the Sukkah of G-d's Peace

On Erev Sukkot an unusual type of lunar eclipse (the infamous "blood moon") was visible across North America and many other parts of the earth. This strange event has caused much speculation as to its meaning. Much fear and trepidation has resulted among those who believe the "blood moon" to be an evil omen.

The contrast between people cowering in shelters quaking in fear and we Jews going boldly and joyously into our sukkot at the same time is striking. My wife shared the following musings with me and I thought it would be inspiring to share it with you.

May you dwell this week in the Sukkah of Divine Peace. Hag Sameach!

On the evening of September 27, 2015 the fourth blood moon will appear in the sky….

The Pope has come to the USA, and will be preparing to go home this evening.

John Boehner has announced his resignation as speaker of the House after the Pope asked John to pray for him, and is preparing for his exit.

Pilgrims at the HAJJ were stampeded to death on Thursday, and Iran is criticizing Saudi Arabia and demanding an apology, which could lead to a “serious” situation.

Russia is assisting Syria, which could seriously impact Israeli security…

Doomsday preppers are hunkering down in their bunkers, with all of their preps, waiting for the apocalypse, end of the world, coming of the messiah, world war 3, a hidden comet to strike the earth, a massive earthquake, tsunami, or other “terrible” event to occur.

So, what do you think Jews are doing this evening? The very people who are supposed to be at the center of this doomsday frenzy?

Jews all over the world are going outside, into their Sukkahs, staring at the night sky, praising G-d for allowing them the privilege of living to to see this day…

The contrast is striking…

I can’t help but to believe that there is a divine plan in all of this after all.

I wonder what is G-d thinking right now. 

Guest post by Ariella Cohen

Related links:

Sukkot Basics

What is Sukkot?

Sukkot 101

Do the Lulav Shake!

Sukkot is one of the most joyous and festive holidays on the Jewish calendar. One unique mitzvah connected with Sukkot is the taking of the lulav. More properly referred to as the four species, the lulav is a bundle of four specific products of four different trees: an etrog (or citron), a lulav (palm frond), three hadassim (myrtle twigs), and two aravot (willow twigs). On each day of the Sukkot festival (except Shabbat) we take the four species in our hands and recite a brachah (blessing). Holding them together, we then shake the bundle in all directions, right, left, forward, backward, up and down. Nearly all siddurim will have the proper blessing. Check with your rabbi for the correct manner of shaking the lulav.

According to the Midrash, the four species represent the unity of the Jewish people. The etrog has both a delicious taste and a wonderful smell. It represents Jews who are both learned in Torah and observant of the mitzvot. The lulav comes from a fruit bearing tree: dates have good taste but no aroma. This represents those who are Torah scholars but are not as careful to observe the mitzvot. The hadassim have a fine fragrance but no taste. They represents Jews who perform mitzvot but are deficient in Torah knowledge. The aravot have no smell and no taste. They represent Jews who have neither Torah learning nor mitzvot.

All four must be brought together to fulfill the mitvah of taking the four species. Leaving out even one branch, no matter if it is a palm or a willow, makes the bundle incomplete and renders it unfit for the mitzvah. Each and every Jew, no matter how great or how humble, regardless of his or her Torah knowledge or lack of it, is part of the whole Jewish people .In order for our people to be complete - to fulfill our divinely appointed mission - we must all come together as one.

As you celebrate this festive holiday, even if for the first time, remember the lesson of the four species. May we all find joy and fulfillment is coming together to rejoice and praise Hashem. Chag Sameach!

Related links:
About the Lulav and Etrog
Why Shake the Lulav and Etrog?
How to Shake the Lulav and Etrog (video)

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

Happy Holidays!

We have come through the busiest season of the Jewish year in terms of  the number of holidays we observe in such a short period of time.  I hope and trust that you and those you love found the season enriching and uplifting.

After the solemn self-examination of the Days of Awe, we take to the out of doors to celebrate Sukkot and bring the holidays to a triumphant conclusion on Simchat Torah.

Today I have decided to share with you a few pictures of my family's celebrations.  Of course the pictures were taken after the holidays, but they convey some of the joy and enthusiasm we felt.

My favorite shofar. It has a wonderful tone.

The Aston family dancing in front of our sukkah.

Sukkah under construction!

I have shared thoughts on many topics these few months.  Some have been solemn, others thoughtful.  More than anything else I hope you remember that Judaism is alive!  As you study, learn and practice Judaism, remember to take time to just enjoy being Jewish.