Each year Sukkot quickly follows the High Holidays.
There is a tradition that after Havdallah on Yom Kippur, that we immediately begin building our sukkah.
I always felt that this was a lot for Judaism to ask of us.
After a 25 hour fast, intense prayers and reflection, and the emotional roller-coaster that Yom Kippur can bring, to start with the Sukkah immediately? Why?
The answer that our Sages bring speaks to me more this year than ever before. Essentially, they say, “kol ha kavod’ (lots of respect) for really doing Yom Kippur right. You did some soul searching, and have made resolutions to make the most out of your life and your relationships. But all that is work of the mind and of the heart, what about the hand?
Take all that ‘inner work’ that you have done, and go…build…something.
Don’t stay in your head. Act.
The other lessons that Sukkot teaches are amazing (join us Friday night for online services), but this is the lesson that calls to us with a sense of urgency.
With Yom Kippur still on your lips, may you begin to build your Sukkah.
Shabbat shalom!