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From Sukkah to Mamad

Inbar Gabay Zada

ecently, as I settled my children The dissonance mirrors the disjunction those within from the dangers that lurk
into their beds in our Efrat home, I between the excitement of Sukkot and the outside. Standing at the entrance of our
couldn’t help but reflect that it was stark reality of a cold winter approach- homes with an open door to light the Cha-
R the first night since Sukkot that they ing. On Sukkot, we leave the comforts of nukah candles is a statement of faith. Yet,
were all sleeping in their home and embrace our faith in Hashem. the mitzvah “lehadlik ner Chanukah” not only
own beds. Since Sukkot, they have slept As Shemini Atzeret arrives, we return to urges us to witness the light but actively
in our mamad (safe room), due to the fear the warmth and routine of our homes, sig- involves us in bringing that light, infused
of rocket fire. It is a blessing that eludes nifying a hope for stability in the coming with goodness and chessed, into the world.
thousands of Israelis and for which I am winter months. The sukkah’s messages of As a child, counting menorahs on trips from
grateful. Nevertheless, it is jarring; instead faith, gratitude, and inspiration accom- Philadelphia to New York filled me with
of moving from the sukkah back into our pany us into the darkness of Marcheshvan. pride. These candles were an unspoken
home, we moved from the sukkah to the As we move from Sukkot to Chanukah, a connection with fellow Jews who were
safe room. shift becomes evident. Sukkot prompts us proudly proclaiming, “I too am a Jew.” We
to leave the home and dwell in the sukkah, experience this same connection today
Memories of the children eagerly prepar- while Shemini Atzeret beckons us back.
ing their beds for the sukkah seem like The mitzvah of lighting Chanukah can- through hundreds of phone calls and
a blur. The subsequent weeks spent in dles strengthens this concept of “home,” emails from worried Jews from around the
world. “You don’t know me,” they explain,
and out of our safe room dominate my as every family lights a menorah in their “But I too am a Jew. How can I help?”
thoughts, for the war is still not over own home.
and the mamad door remains open and We are witnessing an outpouring of
accessible. Sukkot entails leaving home for seven chessed and love the likes of which I have
days, while Chanukah centers us within. never seen before. This Chanukah, as we
Walking into my child’s gan (kindergarten) Yet, we do not shut our doors and win- stand at the threshold of our home, I will
and hearing Chanukah songs is surreal. As dows to contain the light and warmth; it remind my children that we are bringing
we wait for the haunting events of Sim- must be seen by others. The candles’ light the warmth of our homes to the outside
chat Torah to end – the sirens, the booms, is intrinsically tied to the public sphere, world which is in such desperate need
the fear, and the desperate inquiries about lit “until there is no more foot traffic in of light. But I will also tell them that we
the safety of our family and of the entire the marketplace.” The Tosafists (Sukkah must bring the light of others into our
nation – I hear my children singing Cha- 46a) reflect on the Talmud’s ruling that on own home, recognizing the unparalleled
nukah songs. Is Chanukah already here? Chanukah, unlike Sukkot, a person who chessed this terrible war has produced. It
I feel as if Am Yisrael is stuck in a time sees the candles makes a unique blessing must encourage us even as we shiver in
warp. Yet time moves forward, the clocks – birkat haRo’eh – enabling even a person the cold and darkness.
who does not have a home and only sees
have changed, and our lives are forever the candles to praise the miracle of Cha- No, we do not close our doors on Chanu-
changed. nukah. Publicizing the miracle – seeing kah as one does in the mamad. In lighting
the light from the outside – is inherent to the candles and opening our doors, we
the mitzvah. fulfill the essence of Chanukah – bringing
light into our lives and sharing it with the
Chanukah invites us to step from within
the home to its entrance – a liminal space world.
that bridges both inside and outside. In
this delicate balance, the Chanukah can-
dles radiate their light, illuminating not
only our homes but also extending into
the public sphere. Finding light in the
darkness requires putting yourself in the
darkness and then the protection of the
lights.
Inbar Gabay Zada
The mamad door stands in stark contrast is Director of Development at
to Chanukah. It is a barrier meant to block Sulamot for Jewish Education and
out external threats, sealing off light, La’Ofek – Hope for the Future.
sound, and air. It hermetically shields

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