Whether we truly believe that our sukot (the plural of suka) are to remind us that we traveled for 40 years in the desert- or we needed to preempt the pagan harvest festival that occurred this time of year three millennia ago-  is truly immaterial to our observance of this holiday.  Because we have found real meaning in the suka- to remind us that our lives are transient, our lives are fragile, and our lives require our efforts along with Hashem’s help.

Like the proverbial three pigs, our house of straw, our house of wood- even our house of bricks- doesn’t really protect us from the elements.  You do recall how the West Coast of Florida now looks, post Ian, right?  Or, maybe your reference needs to be Katrina,  Sandy, or some of the recent tornadoes.

With its flimsy roof, the portion of the suka always erected last on our suka, we recognize the structure of the suka as a shelter for our faith.  Each new day, we are restored to our souls and our brains by Hashem.  By sitting in this suka, this flimsy structure, we are acknowledging our faith in Hashem, who affords us the ability to enjoy our meal with the stars and the sun up above.

That’s amplified with another of our mitzvot- hachnasat orchim- the welcoming of guests.  Not just the metaphysical guests we invite each night (each night of the holiday, we include the spirit of one of these greats- Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon, Yosef, and David- at our table), but our friends and relatives with whom we share our meals.  That’s another shelter of Sukot.   That of family and friends, being part of something more than ourselves.

And, by saying Kiddush, Birkat HaMazon, and Havdala (some of us daven shacharit, mincha, and/or ma’ariv) in our suka, we are reminded that t’fila (prayer) is yet another connection.  Our means to maintain a conversation with Hashem.

Of course, if you have neighbors like we used to have, there’s also the shelter of authenticity.  (This neighbor called the police several times reporting that we built a structure without a permit.) The suka reminds us that this tradition, this tenet of our faith,  dates back at least to the time that we entered the holy land of Israel.  As an agricultural people, our connection with the land, with the food and animals we raised, with the offerings of food to Hashem, this is the last connection to those first Jewish citizens of Israel.   And, maybe back to our 40 years of traveling in the desert.

As we enjoy our meals in the suka,  with the elements all around us, how can we not revel in the fact that Hashem has created a beautiful world for us.  But, Hashem created it- Hashem didn’t finish the process-  leaving us as the stewards, the effectors of the perfection of the world.

My friend, Alana Mautone, posted this tune (to remind us that we must employ the four species- arba minim [lulav and etrog]) during holiday.  And, now, I will share this diddy with you!

May you truly feel enveloped by the love of your family, friends, and Hashem this Sukot.

Share this: