Dear Friends,
In Leviticus 23: 42-43, we are commanded to dwell in a sukkah for seven days as a reminder of our wanderings in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. While the biblical commandment serves as the reason for this ancient custom, the joys of celebrating in a sukkah have become one of Judaism’s greatest annual events.
It is impossible to sit in a sukkah and not feel at one with the world. The roof of the Sukkah opens to the sky, allowing us to gaze into the heavens as they shine down upon us. The open walls of the sukkah allow for the enjoyment of cooling breezes, the sweet sounds of birds chirping and the fragrant smells of wood, fruit and greenery.
Even the Houston sukkah experience, with its abundance of mosquitoes and its hot humid winds, invites celebration and joy. Sharing time in the sukkah with family and friends serves to remind us of the things that matter most in life.
While the origins of the sukkah may be rooted in the wilderness, our heritage has evolved over time to help us experience so much more. As we share time together in these unassuming little huts for this seven day festival, we are provided sacred time to glorify God’s world of creation, celebrate serendipity and focus on family, friends and fellowship.
Chag Sukkot Sameach — Happy Sukkot
Steve