Martin H. van den Bergh

This Shabbat, we begin celebrating Succot, one of the happiest festivals in the Jewish calendar. Despite the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people in recent years, we look forward to these days with an unwavering resolve to celebrate our festivals. They give us an opportunity to thank God for His many blessings, especially at Succot, which marks the ingathering of our crops. This is symbolised by the festival’s two distinctive Mitzvot: dwelling in the Succah and taking the four species—the Lulav, Etrog, Hadasim and Aravot—together. Because the first day of Succot falls on Shabbat this year, we fulfil the second Mitzvah for the first time on the festival’s second day. This delay does not diminish the joy of Succot.

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Here in Israel, the joy of Succot can be felt as everyone prepares for the festival. The Shulchan Aruch encourages us to begin building the Succah as soon as Yom Kippur ends, expressing the spiritual fervour we carry forward from that holy day. As a result, the sounds of hammers and Succah panels being put into place surround us. These preparations also affirm our determination not to be defeated by those who seek to harm us. Despite our continuing challenges, we will celebrate Succot with confidence and pray that God continues to shelter us beneath the Succah of His peace.