Tonight, we celebrate z’man simchateinu, our season of joy, with the arrival of Sukkot, the Feast of Booths. For our agrarian ancestors, the joy behind the holiday was simple. The fall harvest heralded a season of bounty and of rest until the ploughing season began. For 21st Century Jews preparing to mourn the 2nd anniversary of October 7, finding joy may seem more difficult.
And yet, just as our ancestors celebrated their harvest, we, too, have an opportunity to celebrate ours.
As I watched grandparents, parents, and children alike work together yesterday afternoon to build our community sukkah, I was reminded that joy comes not only from the finished product but from the act of building something together.
Nor does the sukkah’s joy end with its construction. We build our sukkot outdoors to invite others into our celebration. The sukkah reminds us that happiness comes from the act of sharing. Yesterday, we shared sweat together. Tonight, and throughout this week, we will share food, stories, and memories together, and through our shared celebrations, we remember that we also share a past, a present, and a hope in the future together.
Wishing you and your loved ones a chag sameach, a season of joy,
Rabbi Josh Knobel