As I stepped into the Sukkah, on the third day of Sukkot, I recited the Ushpezin of the day and with overflowing hearts our family welcomed the Patriarch Yaakov- our Patriarch who represents Emet and Galut. In many ways we can identify, greatly, with Yaakov, for many of our trials and tribulations are due to our Galut, very similarly, to the tribulations that Yaakovexperienced.
Therefore, my search for greater meaning to the Yom Tov of Sukkot will give us the Chizuk to weather the storms of Galut and to forge ahead more enthused and more spiritually enhanced.
As we enter our Deras Arai, our home away from home, to the outdoors of an alienated society, we experience, very similarly, Yaakov’sepisode of the night under the stars when he had the vision of the ladder stretching from earth to the sky, and the angels assuring him that he will be protected by Hashem. It is the same protection that I felt as I walked into the Sukkahwelcoming our Patriach of Truth assuring all of us that, in spite, of the fact that we are experiencing our night of Galut we are assured that our Torah oriented way of life will prosper and live on.
Permit me to share, at this time, the following words of inspiration
"Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses”
“Focus on your character, not your reputation”
“Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes”
“At all times embrace your blessings, and make every today worth remembering.”
These words are so important to assure life is worth living and gives life a meaningful direction that will bring honor to mankind and honor to G-D.
Rashi explains that we are, indeed, blessed with the words of Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, on Yom Tov, as was recited byAharon,וישא אהרון את ידיו אל העם ויברכם,"And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them". The Birkat Kohanim has a very special meaning for the Jewish People, as a Nation. It is a blessing that is to be absolute and unconditional. As we study the Hebrew words of the Bracha, we notice that even though the blessing is for the entire nation, the words are in the singular form. This expresses an amazing idea in Judaism. Though we are a nation of many, we must see ourselves as one integrated whole, as "One Persona".
Achieving this unity we can be confident that the last part of the Bracha וישם לך שלום, the blessing of Hashem for our nation with peace, will be forthcoming.
Peace can only prosper if we see our Nation as one integrated whole, with brotherly love extended to each other, leading us on the path of becoming a true עם אחד, under the rubric of our strong belief of הי אחד ושמו אחד.
With this אחדות, we can face any adversary that may step in the path of our Nation’s success, and thereby assuring a brighter future for our Jewish Nation.
This is our message for our people's survival. Our future is a glorious one if we continue to have love in our hearts and compassion in our deeds.
These attributes are to be transmitted to our children and grandchildren, as the Torah states;
" והודעתם לבניך ולבני בניך" "Teach and make known the ways of our Torah to your children and to your grandchildren." This is, truly, one of the most important Mitzvot of the Torah, a Mitzvah of והודעתם, of transmitting our Ways of Torah to the next generation. Our survival depends on the success and the strength of our Mesorah's influence on our next generation. This was Yaakov’s legacy to his children, and to K’lall Yisrael. His name was changed from Yaakov to Yisrael, to assure our survival and our continued Blessing in our Galut. As we step in to the Sukkah of our Galut, let us welcome our Yisrael- Yaakov to our temporary home with benevolence, friendship and love.
Let us continue to emulate G-D's ways of
אהבת עולם ואהבה רבה, to each other and in doing so, we will herald the time of the coming of our Mashiach in our time. With this in mind, we will then turn our Sukkah into our true Mikdash Me’at, when the S’hchenah will bring the Ananei Hakovad to rest upon all our homes.
SHABBAT SHALOM
AND
CHAG SAMEACH
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