Page 4 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

TORAT MIZRACHI

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profoundly encounter this existential all slowly wilt away in our hands. Perti- – G-d. It is our unshakeable faith that
reality at different times in our lives. nently to our theme, the species which everything is somehow ultimately for
degenerates the quickest, the willow, the good. There is Providence in unpre-
Somber? Most definitely. Depressing? forms the centerpiece of our prayers dictability and purpose in seeming
Not at all. on the final day of Sukkot, Hoshanah chaos. This allows us to transform our

The festivals of the month of Tishrei Rabbah. And the megillah we read on perspective and trust that the Almighty
offer a strong spiritual response to this Sukkot is Kohelet, which focuses on this knows what He is doing.
unavoidable vulnerability. Yes, we do very same theme of life being vulnera- Such is the transcendent power of faith
have an inevitable fear and concern, awe ble and transient while celebrating its and belief. It is for this very reason the
and trepidation over the Yamim Noraim inherent joy. Zohar calls the sukkah “tzila deme-
– we are being judged and our fate is What happened here? How did the very himenuta,” the shadow (or shade) of
being decided. feeling which provoked such concern, faith. Nothing is more temporary and

But this is only part of the story. anxiety and trepidation suddenly morph transient than a shadow. It has no exis-
into joyous national celebration? tence of its own and can disappear in a
When we fully accept our vulnerability moment. Nevertheless, our temporary
and life’s fleetingness – and embrace The answer is two-fold: the power of sukkah is the shadow cast by the most
them – an amazing transformation acceptance and the power of Faith. permanent reality of life – G-d, the Cre-
occurs. We are able to celebrate them. Regarding the former, M. Scott Peck ator and Sustainer of all Life. When we
This is precisely the point of the imme- brilliantly summarized it in the opening understand we live in His shadow and
diate transition from the Days of Awe of his bestselling book: “Life is difficult. all that happens is somehow a reflection
to the days of unbridled celebration on This is a great truth, one of the greatest of the purposeful plan of Providence –
Sukkot. truths. It is a great truth because once whether we understand it or not – we

No, our vulnerable state has not miracu- we truly see this truth, we transcend it. are ready to transform.
lously vanished within the space of four Once we truly know that life is difficult So as we begin the new year, still very
days. What has changed is our attitude. – once we truly understand and accept it much in the throes of the old, we can
Having accepted vulnerability as an – then life is no longer difficult. Because change. With our belief that everything
unavoidable reality, we are now ready once it is accepted, the fact that life is is ultimately for the good, we can begin
to embrace and even celebrate it. difficult no longer matters.” 2 to celebrate the gift of life. We can cul-
tivate peace of mind and faith-based
Our sense of vulnerability is certainly no In our context, after experiencing the serenity in our unpredictable, vulnerable
less on Sukkot than it is on Rosh Hasha- intensity of the Days of Awe and inter- world.
nah and Yom Kippur – perhaps even nalizing and accepting this reality – that
more so. We leave our safe and perma- our vulnerable state is an inescapable Wishing everyone a Chag Sameach and
nent homes and live for an entire week component of life – we are now ready a healthy, happy and joyous 5781.
in flimsy huts and temporary booths – to celebrate it.
totally exposed to the elements, both Acceptance and submission are the
natural and manmade. For seven days, gateways to transformation. We are now 1 Masechet Rosh Hashanah, Chapter 1, Mishna 2.
we shake the Four Species, all of which open to the power of Faith. 2 The Road Less Travelled, page 1.
have to be severed from the ground and
detached from their permanent source In our unpredictable and transient Rabbi Doron Perez is Chief Executive of
of life. As each day of Sukkot passes, they world, there is one immutable constant the Mizrachi World Movement.

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