The Joy of Sukkot

The high holidays have come and gone. The weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were fraught with anxiety as we contemplated and reviewed our actions over the past year. The holidays were imbued with prayerful meditation and soulful song. Yom Kippur, in particular, weighed heavily on us both physically due to fasting and emotionally because of the recitation of the confessional and Al Chets.

With little time in between – just five days – we now turn to the next major festival, Sukkot. Sukkot, referred to by the rabbis as HeChag – THE holiday, is meant to be a week filled with joy and happiness. We have daily opportunities to invite family and friends to share celebratory meals together in the Sukkah. The conclusion of the holiday gives us even more opportunity to rejoice. On Simchat Torah, we celebrate the renewal of the weekly Torah reading cycle with dancing and singing. Sukkot is the perfect cathartic response to the deep introspection we have engaged in over the past month. I find a moment to let out a deep, relaxing breath as Sukkot approaches.

We have several opportunities for engagement during Sukkot at Midbar Kodesh Temple, including Friday night dinner, Sukkot services on Shabbat and Sunday mornings, Yoga in the Sukkah, a new member reception, Bourbon Tasting, and Hakafot on Saturday night, as well as the Keter Torah celebration with Hakafot on Sunday morning.

We look forward to sharing these joyous opportunities with you.

Wishing you a Chag Samayach, Happy Holiday.