Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah
October 16, 2024
14 Tishri 5785
Erev Sukkot
Tonight, we welcome in the Festival of Sukkot (Booths). There are two main explanations as to the origin of the Sukkah. Either they were the structures in which the Israelites lived during the 40 years of wandering or they were the structures that the Israelites built for the harvest in the land of Israel. These two explanations represent two different perspectives in our people’s history. First, there were those who were on their way to the Land of Israel. Then, there were those who lived in Israel and worked the land.
Either way, the rabbis called on us to add the same few words to our Birkat Hamazon—Grace After Meals—during the week of Sukkot. Those words are:
“May the Merciful One restore for us the fallen Sukkah of David—הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יָקִים לָֽנוּ אֶת־סֻכַּת דָּוִד הַנּוֹפָֽלֶת.”
Now, part of my Sukkah blew over in the high winds on Monday, less than 24 hours after I put it up, but that’s not what this prayer is talking about. It is a reference to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed nearly 2,000 years ago. One of the nicknames for the Temple was “Sukkah.” It was a symbol of God’s protection of the people and land of Israel.
However, this year, I think that these words have special significance. After over a year of war in Israel, many Israelis are still out of their homes. Many are suffering emotionally and spiritually. Still more are suffering physically. This Sukkot, we are asking God to restore the sense of safety and security in Israel that has been lost.
Further, the Jews of the diaspora have experienced a sharp spike in antisemitism. Many Jews outside the land of Israel do not feel safe either. We are also praying for an end to this new antisemitism that has been seen all around the world.
In the Festival Evening Service this evening, we will praise God for spreading a Sukkah of peace over us and over all the people of Israel. In this new year of 5785, may it be so.
Shalom,
RAF.
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