“To everything there is a season, a time for every experience under heaven…”
While most of us are familiar because the Byrds made it popular, it does originate from our biblical tradition in the book of Ecclesiastes. This book and phrase are studied during this season, right after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. But why? Sukkot and Simchat Torah, that’s why.
The messages of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are hopefully fresh in our minds: forgiveness, self-improvement, and selfless actions. What I always find beautiful is that we conclude this season with the powerful messages of the holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Transitioning from Yom Kippur, where we focus so much on ourselves, to Sukkot, where we dwell in a temporary structure, teaching us that we must appreciate everything that we have. Spending time in the Sukkah reminds us that if we start with the beauty of our natural surroundings, then the blessings all around us pop into our consciousness like fireworks bursting in a night sky.
Then, we conclude Sukkot with the celebration of Simchat Torah. This final holiday of this sacred season teaches us that if we truly have done all the work that we needed to do this past month then we can turn to the source that binds all of us together, this wonderful gift of Torah, and celebrate its existence. It is the glue of our heritage, our culture, and our past that connects all of it together. It is worthy of celebrating, no?
From reflection to appreciation and then concluding with celebration, this process underlines why we read the book of Ecclesiastes at this time. These final Holy Days ring the bell that declares, “There is a season for every experience.” Please consider joining us for these experiences. Consider coming this evening at 8 PM under the stars inside the Sukkah, as we celebrate Sukkot. Also consider dancing and celebrating with the community and the Torah at our Simchat Torah celebration at 10:30 AM on Sunday morning. We will culminate the beginning of our Jewish year at our annual fall picnic at FDR Park at noon on Sunday.
May we all embrace the moments that we have and treasure them as blessings for we all are blessed.
