The Sukkah: Lesson of Hope Derived from Tragedy (continued)

Given the suffering that I see happening as a result of the World Trade Center catastrophe, I wonder whether I should remain so attached to my material possessions. Perhaps I should actually divest myself of material props and go into exile just so that I could learn to be more humble and appreciative!

But, of course, that would be foolish. For one, without my worldly goods I would not be able to give generously to assist in the relief effort, as so many Americans have done. Second, my own problems might end up tying up much-needed resources that must now be allocated to the rescue mission. Rather, my goal should be to find a way to gain perspective on life year-round so that the generosity to, and solidarity with, others can become a permanent cornerstone of my life. This elevated state is what, in fact, so many people seek in the aftermath of the twin tower implosion. People have remarked how they wish that this sense of community-building could continue throughout the year!

Enter the Sukkah experience. Built into its celebration is the very symbol of exile. I am being asked to leave my home and contemplate what it means to subsist on very little. Just as the Jews wandered in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, so I temporarily leave the security of my home to undertake a journey that will lead me to my promised destination in life.

But how can this sense of exile in any way make me want to rejoice? The answer is that my dislocation is a controlled experiment designed to teach me how to empathize with those persons who truly undergo the hardships of exile. The Sukkah experience teaches me to be more sympathetic to people who are less fortunate. It motivates me to want to share my meager possessions with others, knowing that I could be in their place at any moment. And it makes me attuned to the possibilities for helping alleviate the plight of others, knowing that by so doing, I am helping myself.


On Rosh Hashana, G-d judges the world, and on Yom Kippur He seals the decree. The judgment may very well include displacement. So, we take the initiative to "banish" ourselves into the Sukkah and demonstrate to G-d that we are ready to accept our fate. We are eager to lessen our dependence on our physical world and increase our involvement in spiritual living. This is in fact the goal of so many people who want to change their lives as a consequence of the September 11 tragedy. This is also why, it seems to me, people are giving so generously to rescue and rebuild our city. We realize that "but for the grace of G-d go I" and we have to be prepared to accept the grim reality that we may be uprooted as a potential outcome of world terrorism.

Singing and dancing in the Sukkah

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Even so, hope is not lost because we know others more fortunate will be there to help us. And this is the spirit with which we now undertake to reconstruct our lives all over again: Everyone working together to build a Sukkah under G-d's protection based on mutual support, love and caring. If we can carry with us this attitude throughout the year, we will make all those who lost their lives proud of how we as a nation responded and united.

This is why the Prophet Zechariah prophesied that one day all nations of the world will come under the protection of the Sukkah's canopy and worship G-d together.

Indeed, the Sukkah experience has taught me how to rejoice once again and therefore truly deserves to be celebrated in joy and in happiness.

Chag Sameach!


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