Sukkot, the "festival of booths," is known as z'man simchateynu - the time of our rejoicing. It is the predecessor of Thanksgiving, as this fall harvest festival embodies the notion of hoda'ah (thanksgiving) in Jewish tradition. It is also, historically, the inspiration for both Hanukkah (as the Hasmoneans did not have time to celebrate Sukkot during the Maccabean revolt) as well as for our American holiday of Thanksgiving, as the Pilgrims believed they were re-living the Biblical journey of the Israelites.
And yet to me, the most significant aspect of Sukkot is that it serves as a reminder, teacher, and prompter of the Jewish value of hachnasat orchim - the welcoming of guests. We are taught to invite people to our sukkot, and into our homes, to fulfill the obligations of this festival. Better yet, we learn (and re-learn) that this ultimate sense of hospitality is of course not limited to these days of Sukkot - and that we should be warm, welcoming, and strive to make all people comfortable each and every day of the year - holy day or not.
One further point - these ideas of thanksgiving and hospitality - are so important that our sacred literature refers to this time as he-chag - THE festival, truly par excellence through most of Jewish history. What are YOU doing to celebrate this joyous time? More so, how are you cultivating your hospitality toward others in this New Year?
CHAG SUKKOT SAMEYACH - wishing you a very happy holiday!
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