AllThingsJewish.com has been working with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger and over 100 synagogues and schools around the country on a sukkah program that is designed to promote sukkah-building and awareness of the connection between Sukkot and homelessness. AllThingsJewish.com is donating proceeds from every sukkah sold to MAZON. The text below was written for inclusion in a book of materials that was distributed with the sukkahs that were purchased, along with other materials from Mazon, and was produced with the assistance of Jewish educators.
Harry Nelson, owner of AllThingsJewish.com, writes: "The piece was intended to be a reflection that we hoped would add meaning to people's celebration of Sukkot, but more specifically would draw a clearer understanding of why we were trying to promote support of MAZON, and raise awareness of the relevance of the issue of homelessness to Sukkot. (The original suggestion to link our Sukkah program to MAZON came from Rabbi Michael Siegel of Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago, a MAZON board member, as a way to connect fundraising with consciousness-raising about the modern meaning of Sukkot.)"
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Reconciling Joy and Humility on Sukkot
Sukkot is a holiday of contrasts. It is z'man simchataynu, the time of our joy, and yet the central mitzvah of Sukkot is leaving the comfort of our homes, reminding us that many people are without such basic shelter throughout the year. In recognition of that connection, AllThingsJewish has donated a portion of every sukkah we sell to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.
Rabbi Akiva taught that the message of Sukkot is humility. Just as the harvest arrives, bringing abundance, we are commanded to leave our homes to inhabit the fragile sukkah, unable to withstand even a rainstorm. From this we learn not to be excessively proud of our wealth, for we are at the mercy of God's will.
At the same time, Sukkot is not a somber holiday, but z'man simchateinu, the time of our rejoicing. How can we be joyful in the face of this reminder of the fragility of our shelter, this reminder of poverty?
We can rejoice because, under the stars, we experience directly the miracle of creation and the potential the universe holds. When we hold the lulav and etrog, we hold in our hands the miracle of life, of tiny seeds nurtured into strong plants. We rejoice in the time shared with our family and friends.
This joy does not deplete our mindfulness that so many do not experience this abundance. Just the opposite--in heightening our appreciation for how blessed we are just to be alive every moment of every day, may we be doubly reminded of our obligation to share those blessings.
May the joy of Sukkot strengthen our determination to do what we can to allow others to experience those blessings. We cannot end hunger and homelessness, but we can find ways to help the hungry and the homeless. In doing so, we fulfill the words we say upon leaving the sukkah for the last time, bringing God's holy light to our world, a mission we must commit to each day.
