Sukkot – Faith in the face of uncertainty
This Sukkot many of us will sadly be unable to attend a Sukkah.
Sukkot is described in the Torah as “Zeman Simchaseinu” – the time of our joy. How can we grab onto this spiritual opportunity at this time?
The answer lies in a debate by our sages as to the reason for the Mitzvah of the Sukkah
Rabbi Eliezer held that the sukkah represents the clouds of glory that surrounded the Israelites during the wilderness years, protecting them from heat during the day, cold during the night, and bathing them with the light of the Divine presence.
Rabbi Akiva on the other hand saw the Sukkah in its literal sense: a hut or booth reminding us of how we lived in temporary shelters throughout our sojourn in the dessert.
Rabbi Eliezer’s approach makes sense in that we are remembering our miraculous existence in the dessert.
Rabbi Akiva’s approach on the other hand requires more subtlety to appreciate as there seems no miracle to celebrate.
Rabbi Akiva is in fact teaching us a profound lesson in faith. As Rabbi Sacks teaches
“faith is not certainty: faith is the courage to live with uncertainty”. This then is the celebration of Sukkot.
This level of faith is what produces true Simcha, true Joy. We leave our homes for 7/8 days and live in a temporary shelter. We realise the fragility of life. Yet with courage we look up at the Sechach with the stars peaking through and when we realise that we are embraced by Hashem. This perspective is what elevates life investing every moment with infinite meaning and depth. We are not just meaningless genes seeking survival.
“We are here because Hashem wants us to be here”. He created each of us in love with a unique mission that only we can fulfil. Knowing this we are able to combat fear and insecurity with faith and joy.
Even if we can’t physically enter a Sukkah this year we can still inculcate its deep message into outlook so that Faith and Joy begin to permeate our lives.
As we enter a very uncertain winter we would do well to incorporate the ideas symbolised into the Sukkah into our daily lives.
Chag Sameach