Hold on, Yom Kippur Is Not the Pinnacle!

Here we are going from one holiday to another, and it feels like it culminates in Yom Kippur– but the ultimate is about to arrive: Sukkot!

Yes, after the hard introspective work of the month of Elul, Rosh Hashana, and Yom Kippur, it’s time to celebrate! And I must say, Sukkot is my absolute favorite Jewish holiday. It arrives during fall, when it’s not too hot and not too cold and filled with change and color. (I was born on Sukkot, so it’s my Jewish birthday!)

And I love the simplicity of it– because what do we really need? Good friends, family, basic walls– food, drinks…Just like Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur enabled us to leave our mistakes behind us, Sukkot is the physical manifestation, where we leave our “stuff” behind and live simply with G-d.

And this year, I can’t help but see how many restaurants reinvented themselves, with Sukkah-like sidewalk tables to keep people safe. More and more people are getting a taste of what it’s like to eat and entertain outdoors. We were so ahead of the times!

If you can, build a sukkah, or at least visit someone who has one. It’s not only the safest way to gather this year; it’s also a mitzvah!