It Is a Joy to be Jewish

How do you celebrate sukkot in the pouring rain?

The Talmud answers, “Go inside!”

Tomorrow evening begins the holiday of Sukkot when we are instructed to live in flimsy booths for seven days.  These sukkot are what the Israelites lived in when wandering through the wilderness.  They were also what our ancestors slept in while harvesting the fall crops.  And so, we live in sukkot to recall how our ancestors lived. 

It is joyous to recall what our ancestors did and live in these temporary shelters.  The Torah commands, “You shall rejoice in your festival!”  But who wants to sleep in a sukkah during a Nor’easter?  That would not be joyous! 

Long ago the rabbis were worried that people might be inclined to brave such storms so that they could fulfill the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah.

Thousands of years ago they posed today’s question, “If it is raining how do you know when it is time to leave the sukkah?”  Being rabbis, they answered their own question and said, “When the rain is heavy enough to spoil the food or cause discomfort.” 

Sukkot will be celebrated inside this weekend. 

Our tradition is supposed to be enjoyed.

It is a joy to be Jewish!