From The Desk of Rabbi Yehuda

Deprived of freedom and life as we know it —for 738 days —is beyond imaginable. Yet we’ve seen it play out in front of our eyes over the past week.  

Reading about some of the released captives I was beyond inspired to read that Ziv and Gali Berman instead of using their time solely for themselves, for all they had missed over the past two years— returned to the hospital to thank the injured soldiers there, for all that they have done. 

Similarly, I read of released captive Omri Miran before being discharged from hospital sent flowers to all the injured soldiers in the same hospital to express immense gratitude— and there are many more stories in this vein. 

Skipping a few years — I read in the Torah of Noah as he exited the Ark (yeh, it’s more than a few years back — 2105 BCE) offering up sacrifices to Gd in appreciation for being saved. Resulting in G-d’s promise not to bring such devastation upon the face of the earth again.

Simply put, the conscious act of Noah’s recognition and appreciation, the mindfulness of a loftier code to life that extends beyond one’s own skin — was that trigger for G-d’s commitment.

Using the Torah’s words of Noah’s offering — “and Hashem smelled the pleasant aroma” — an insight into how the Divine considers acts of sacrifice, selflessness, mindfulness — submission to the Higher Power —a pleasant aroma. 

Indeed, although at first glance it seems difficult for us to sacrifice and go beyond what seems to be mandated of us — we have great examples throughout history, great examples in our very own families, stories galore coming out of Israel and of course the source of all strength and blessing — The Torah —that give us the strength and focus to live our lives in a more conscious and transcendent manner. 

The Festival of Sukkot just got brighter with the impending return of our hostages. 

As I scour the news it jumps out at me that everyone has an opinion. Good deal?

Bad deal? Israel caved?  Brilliantly negotiated? So many self-proclaimed analysts….

Which is it?

I’m far from an expert but what jumps out at me is the inherent connection between Sukkot and the role of the Jewish nation amidst the other nations of the world. 

This role was reflected in Temple times specifically on Sukkot by the number of sacrifices brought up in the Temple totaling “seventy” a number that represents the totality of “the nations of the world”. (More on this)

That’s right, in the Temple / Beit Hamikdash, the one(s) that stood on Temple Mount — the service consisted of praying and including all the nations of the world — for their own good and blessing. 

Ordinarily, one would assume, this should inspire the nations to pray for the Temple’s longevity. Yet the oldest ailment out there — “anti” semitism blinded the 70 nations-- and the glorious edifices — the very edifices that brought blessing to the entire world including the “anti”s —were destroyed. 

It’s a repetitive pattern to be sure. Yet more importantly the repetitive pattern is  G-d’s protection of the Eternal Nation of Israel. The very message of the Sukkah which represents the love and embrace of Hashem of the Jewish nation. Despite the temporal nature of a Sukkah we are reminded of our ancestor’s travel from Egypt to Israel — traversing the desert existence by the benevolence of G-d. 

Yes, it’s all about Hashem’s protection. No, it’s not about our physical might. Nor about our acumen or Talmudical sharpened minds. Sukkoth reinforces the truth. The love. The vulnerability. The protection. The future!

Yet to experience this one needs to exit their home, their comfort level and enter the Sukkah. One needs to leave the realm of analyst and become a protagonist. 

In addition, the other Mitzvah of Sukkot, the shaking of the Lulav and Etrog — the symbol of strength and victory— reinforces the Divine nature of the Jew and the Divinely ordained role. (More here)

To the point, from analyst to protagonist -- take a moment to shake the lulav and Etrog (drop me a line aside for Shabbat  I'll gladly meet you anywhere in Westport), take a moment to enter a Sukkah and make a blessing. Ultimately, you'll walk out joyously impenetrable as you are surrounded by G-d's love and the reinforced truth that ":all is mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains" ( Mark Twain)

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom & Chag Sameach,