Much has been written and many opinions aired on Israel’s recent election and subsequent leadership transition, which prompts me to share some thoughts drawn from the upcoming Torah portion named Vayelech—Deuteronomy 31:1-30.
n interesting and powerfully symbolic aspect of the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles—Sukkot—which will be celebrated this year from the evening of 20 September to the evening of 27 September, relates to the lulav.
The feast of Tabernacles celebrates the gathering of the harvest—but not the earlier harvest of wheat or barley used to make bread that sustains life.
“A short summary of every Jewish holiday: They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” (Comedian Alan King) This year the Jewish holiday of Purim and the Biblical feast of Pesach formed as it were “bookends” enclosing the month of March. Purim this year began at sunset...
A continuing theme throughout the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles is the joy that comes from knowing that we can rest and be safe within the protective shelter of God’s unchanging love.
A Bette Midler song became quite popular some 30 years ago. I cannot say that I remember much of the song, but the chorus that was repeated over and over had these words—“God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance”.