CANTOR’S CORNER

Cantor Eyal Bitton shares a few thoughts on prayer and the parasha of the week.

2023-09-30 Sukkot

On the holiday of Sukkot, we immerse ourselves in the beauty and symbolism of the sukkah. This temporary structure reminds us of our ancestors’ journey through the wilderness, their reliance on God’s protection, and their ultimate arrival in the Promised Land. It is a powerful metaphor for finding shelter in an unstable world.

In the Torah reading on the first day of Sukkot, we read: “You shall live in sukkot for seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in sukkot, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 23:42-43.) This passage connects us to our history, emphasizing our connection to the land and the faith that sustained us throughout generations.

The sukkah, with its flimsy walls and thatched roof, challenges our conventional understanding of security. It teaches us that true stability and lasting fulfillment do not lie in material possessions or the illusions of permanence. Our modern world often bombards us with messages of accumulating wealth and possessions to find happiness, but Sukkot reminds us to seek something greater.

We live in a quickly-changing and unpredictable world. Economic uncertainties, political turmoil, and social upheavals confront us daily. The sukkah reminds us that real security comes from our connection to God, our community, and our identity as the Jewish people.

Just as the sukkah is exposed to the elements, we too face challenges and adversity. Throughout our history, the Jewish people have confronted persecution, displacement, and uncertainty. Yet, through it all, we have clung to our identity, our faith, and our connection to the land of Israel. We have found shelter in our shared history and our deep-rooted traditions.

As we celebrate Sukkot, let us reflect on our own lives. What false shelters have we built? The sukkah asks us to step away from the illusion of permanence and find solace in the ephemeral.

In our prayers, we recite the Hallel, a series of psalms of praise and gratitude. The words of Psalm 118:5 resonate deeply with the theme of Sukkot: “Out of my distress, I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a wide-open space.” The sukkah opens our hearts and minds to a broader perspective, freeing us from the confines of our egos and worldly attachments.

As we enter the holiday of Sukkot, let us find shelter in our connection to God and our Jewish heritage. May we remember that our true security lies in our spiritual heritage, our relationships,  and our commitment to the values that define us as a people.

As we dwell in our sukkot, may we be reminded that we are part of a larger story—a story of resilience, endurance, and unwavering hope. Let us find strength in our shared history and the pursuit of seeking a life of godliness.

Chag Sameach!