From the Cantor - October 2001

Shalom, Chaverim:

Yesterday Mark and I returned from Carlsbad Caverns, where we hiked a total of at least four miles over two days. At one point our guide turned off all illumination and we sat in total darkness for a full five minutes, 830 feet below the earth's surface. How awesome to contemplate our surroundings. Without the ability to see, I knew I was surrounded by fifty good people, including two park rangers, all bound together in part by faith. Although our surroundings were unusual, we felt safe in each other's presence. Yes, God was in this place, and we all knew it.

So it is in the sukkah. We build a temporary lean-to tabernacle that, by design, lets in the rain and the wind. Here we are commanded to eat and gather for seven days during the festival of Sukkot. We may even sleep in the sukkah, health permitting. The rabbis say that if it rains in the sukkah during meals, we remain in the sukkah "until your soup bowl holds more rain than soup." The traditional reason is to remember how God housed the Israelites in desert tabernacles. Today we can add the test of faith in each other during unusual circumstances. I still think "roughing it" means a hotel room without cable TV…but I now appreciate our natural luxuries much more than before.

Our eyes still pop from Carlsbad Caverns' magnificent scenery, and our calves are still mooing at us from all the hilly hikes. We also learned a lot about bats before viewing their fascinating nighttime flight. I'm sure most of you would rather pass on that interesting information but I can't resist revealing that 1) they're not blind; 2) they don't feast on human necks (most eat bugs or fruit); and 3) they're everywhere (except the North and South Poles). If we open our minds to an animal, a place, or an idea enough to trade away our misconceptions for an even better deal, we can do the same for people. Although Yom Kippur may be behind us as you read these words, forgiveness and loving kindness are in season year-round. End Sukkot on a high note! Come to your sanctuary on Monday, October 8 at 7 pm to dance with old and new friends to our wonderful in-house klezmer band. Chag sameach! (Have a happy festival!)

B'Shalom u-v'shir,
Cantor Jacqueline L. Shuchat-Marx

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