In one of the Biblical descriptions of the mitzvah to celebrate Sukkot (Deut. 16:15), we're told to rejoice.  "Rejoice!" the text says.  But there's an extra word in the Hebrew that sticks out.  It's the word "ach."  It's hard to translate the passage literally, but you can capture the sense of it like this: "Don't just rejoice; REALLY rejoice!"

Sukkot is the original "green" holiday.  The essence of the sukkah is the skhach (greenery) on top, which must consist of natural material that was once attached to the ground but no longer is.  Although we don't have a personal obligation to build a sukkah, we are obliged, on each of the seven days of the festival, to "dwell" in one - which is interpreted to mean that we should eat our meals there.  The other essential daily mitzvah of the holiday is to take hold of and shake the lulav and etrog, symbolizing all of earth's bounty, in all directions.

I encourage each of you to take time from your routines to celebrate Sukkot this year.  If you have built your own sukkah, fantastic.  If you own your own lulav and etrog, great.  But if not, feel free to come to the synagogue throughout the holiday to eat in our shul sukkah, and to make use of one of our congregational lulav and etrog sets so you can fulfill these mitzvot.

Yom Tov services for the first day of Sukkot will take place tonight at 6:15 pm in the shul sukkah (weather permitting), and tomorrow, October 1st, at 9:00 am.  (Don't forget:  Cantor G will lead a special youth service tomorrow at 10:30 am.)  Second day services will take place on Monday evening at 6:15 pm and Tuesday morning at 9:00 am.  Check our website for additional Sukkot activities. 

In the meantime, let me wish you and your family a hearty Hag Sameach!

Sincerely,