Rabbi Ron Segal
“Z’man simchateinu, the season of our rejoicing,” is Judaism’s descriptor for the festival of Sukkot we are currently celebrating. It is the only holiday in the Torah where we read it is a mitzvah (commandment) to be joyful and celebrate. Many who traditionally build a sukkah at home share that Sukkot is one of their favorite holidays, as they enjoy entertaining friends and family in their sukkah throughout the week-long festival.
Interestingly, though, this holiday designated as a time for happiness and rejoicing is observed by fulfilling the commandment not merely to entertain but to actually dwell in the sukkah, to leave the solid walls and material comforts of our homes for the vulnerable and temporary structure of a sukkah. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, wrote that “Sukkot is the festival of insecurity… More than most, whether in the land of Israel or elsewhere, Jews have known the full force of insecurity.” That the two-year anniversary of 10/7 coincided with the first day of Sukkot is certainly testament to this stark and somber truth.
Yet, Sacks writes, “[Judaism possesses an] incomparable ability to rescue hope from tragedy. …To know that life is full of risk and yet to affirm it, to sense the full insecurity of the human situation and yet to rejoice: this is the essence of faith. Judaism is no comforting illusion that all is well in the world. It is instead the courage to celebrate amidst uncertainty, and to rejoice even in the transitory shelter of the sukkah.”
Unsurprisingly, Fiddler on the Roof (which closes on Sunday) is still very much in mind, and as I wrote this column it struck me that this very same message is reflected in the lyrics of “To Life.” In spite of the difficulties, challenges and vulnerabilities we confront, we must seek out moments and opportunities that will fill our days and our lives with joy.
To life, to life, l’chaim; L’chaim, l’chaim, to life –
Life has a way of confusing us, blessing and bruising us;
Drink l’chaim to life…
God would like us to be joyful even when our hearts lie panting on the floor;
How much more can we be joyful, when there’s really something to be joyful for!
To life, to life, l’chaim; L’chaim, l’chaim, to life!
With wishes for a Chag Sukkot Sameach and prayers for peace –
Rabbi Ron Segal
