C mmunity

Torah Portion

In An Open, Intimate Sukkah,
Amongst Family And Fellow Jews

and perilous world, and doubts his
own ability to carry on.
This questioning of one's ability to
carry on with life and responsibility in
the face of danger, disappointment or
uncertainty is common today
Frequently, we look for signs of reas-
surance that will renew our resolve
and get us back to task.
In times of trouble, we, like Moses,
his week, we celebrate the
do not see God's face, except, perhaps,
festival of Sukkot.
in the faces of loved ones and friends.
From each other, we seek encourage-
Following the period of
introspection and
ment to help us persevere in
reflection that so character-
our daily lives, to continue
izes the High Holidays, our
to work, love and seek per-
experience of Sukkot today is
sonal fulfillment.
that of a joyful, yet humble,
This week, we may
harvest festival. At Sukkot,
well savor the open, yet inti-
we forsake the amenities of
mate space within the
our homes to build booths
sukkah amongst family and
similar to those of our ances-
friends, together with mem-
tors. It is a time of thanks-
bers of our own communi-
giving and compassion.
ties, and with fellow Jews of
KAREN
In our unassuming, tern-
varying backgrounds and
SIERSMA
porary outdoor structure of
beliefs, as well. What is it
branches and stalks, we sit,
ROSENSTEIN
like to share in the comfort
we eat, and we greet friends
Special to the
of a sukkah of Jewish diver-
and loved ones. Perhaps we
sity?
Jewish News
also see the unfamiliar faces
All will wave the etrog
of fellow citizens, new to us
and the lulay. All will
today, but friends of ours tomorrow.
remember our escape through the
Sinai desert. Together we will
Together we absorb the atmosphere
of goodness. We share stories and
exchange greetings and wishes for a
songs and connect with our natural
good year, sharing in an age-old
world. We abandon material luxury
Jewish experience: fragile shelter in an
and join Jews of all denominations,
unpredictable and perilous world. We
across time and great distances, to
will appreciate the importance of com-
experience the extraordinary ambiance
panionship, comfort, encouragement
and natural beauty within the walls of
and unity in times of uncertainty.
the sukkah.
According to the sages, it is a mitz-
Within this remarkable zone of
vah to celebrate Sukkot, to step away
from our daily existence and to rejoice
comfort, we may well savor the arrival
of fall and of autumn sounds and
with exuberance. Without modern-
scents filtering through to us. The sky
day comforts, we can rediscover joy
is visible overhead. The sukkah walls,
and contentment in the celebration of
the Jewish harvest festival. Within the
of wood or cloth, are strong enough to
withstand the normal breezes of
context of nature, we can begin the
autumn, yet fragile, temporary. The
year celebrating together, face-to-face,
scach, a covering of branches, leaves or
in a spirit of Jewish community ❑
corn stalks, is arranged to allow for
more shade than sun, while still per-
mitting a view of the harvest moon.
This week's Torah portion tells the
story of a most poignant interaction
When we take part in that which
between God and Moses, following
is commonly known as "enter-
the incident of the golden calf. Moses
tainment" today, does the experi-
insists that he must "see the face of
ence create feelings of happiness
God" if he is to continue to lead
or contentment within us? Do
Abraham's people. He seeks reassur-
our material possessions make us
ance and support in an unpredictable
happy? How can we provide
those we care about with the
Karen Siersma Rosenstein is
experience of a "zone of com-
education director of the Workmen's
fort" throughout this new year?

Shabbat Chol
HaMoed Sukkot:
Exodus 33:12-34:26;
Numbers 29:26-34;
Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

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