Parashat: Sukkot I

Torah Reading: Leviticus 22:26-23:44

“On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Eternal your God seven days…”

~Leviticus 23:40

It has officially become z’man simchateinu—Sukkot, the time of our rejoicing—because we are literally commanded to rejoice/be happy during the holiday! It’s also a good reminder that the word hadar—a Hebrew word that became a little challenging to translate—is related to the idea of hiddur mitzvah: making a mitzvah you’re following as beautiful as you can. And…that’s why we have incredible decorations, structures, lulavs and etrogim for Sukkot! This verse particularly tells us what we’re holding on to today—as a reminder to enjoy all of nature around us.

But a really fun fact? Our Amidah prayer changes soon from Morid HaTal to Mashiv HaRuach u’Morid HaGeshem—where we thank God for making the wind blow and causing the rain to fall. Don’t do it too early though (and DEFINITELY not today!). We wait until Shmini Atzeret (the last day of Sukkot) to make the change. Why? Because who wants to celebrate Sukkot in a rainy sukkah?

~Rabbi Amanda K. Weiss