Sukkot for the past few years has seen harsh wind making sitting in the Sukkah difficult due to it being blown over. Still, we made it through. This Sukkot, the wind has been calm, sun rather hot and the rain has not yet begun, but the Chag has had tests beyond tests.
Looking at the news it seems as though every half hour or so there is something new happening. Some tragedy, something to test our commitment to Torah, Eretz Yisrael and the holiest part of our land.
My thoughts flit from the victims of the latest attacks to the words of Vayikra and various Prophets especially Yirmiyahu. I am encouraged to see the large numbers Davening at the Kotel this morning. I am encouraged to hear of the efforts of those who respond to tragedies with building our land further.
As we prepare to bring in the Yom Tov of Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret all I can think is let us gather all the strength we have and celebrate this Chag better than we have ever done before. Let us show Hashem that our commitment is to Him, to Torah, Tefillah, Gemilut Chassadim and of course to our Holy Land. Let us all increase in more Torah learning, more Tefillah, concentrating on our prayers and not talking in Shul, learning what G-d's way is and doing whatever it takes to live according to His rules. At the end of the day, He is the One in charge of ALL creation. He promised us that there will be an end to our long Exile. Let us increase our efforts so that Hashem will bring us close and hasten the Redemption.
Chag Somayach
Shoshanah Shear
Chessed Ve'Emet
