October 2015

Rabbi’s Letter

by Margie Klein

Dear Friends, This year, as I will not be with you in person over the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, I wanted to share a Sukkot story for you to enjoy and share with your families. I thank my teacher Rabbi Nehemia Polen for sharing this tale, and my colleague Rabbi Josh Breindel for his retelling.

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A few centuries back in the Old Country, every year, the Rabbi saves up all year to buy a beautiful Etrog and a lovely Sukkah. He spares no expense, because he wants to teach his community what Sukkot should be like. Unfortunately, over time, the Rabbi begins to feel that it is his right as the Rabbi to have the fanciest Etrog and the nicest Sukkah. When he thinks about Sukkot, his main joy becomes knowing that no one has better. One year, on the first day of Sukkot, the Rabbi’s eight-year-old daughter Rivkah comes home from school. “Papa,” she says, “My teacher at school has the most gorgeous Etrog I have ever seen! And his Sukkah is the best Sukkah ever! The Rabbi is bemused. “I’m sure it is very nice, little Rivkah,” he says dismissively. Secretly, he thinks to himself, “That’s impossible! The teachers at my daughter’s school are poor. There is no way this guy could have a nicer Etrog than mine!” Rivkah insists, “Papa! I’m serious. You have to see it to believe it!” So the Rabbi goes to invite the poor teacher to see what a really impressive Sukkah looks like. The teacher eagerly accepts, and says he is honored to be invited to the Rabbi’s home. That evening, the teacher arrives. The Rabbi has spared no expense. The food is delicious. The Sukkah is big, and the refreshing scent of the Etrog spreads all around the table. “Sooo,” says the Rabbi. “What do you think of my Sukkah?” “Well…” answers the teacher uncomfortably. “It’s very…pleasant.” “Pleasant?!” says the Rabbi. “That’s all you have to say? Well, thank you, I suppose. I’d like to see your Sukkah.” “Of course,” says the teacher, considerately. “I would be honored if you would be my guest for dinner tomorrow night.” So the next night, the Rabbi, little Rivkah, and the rest of the family head to the teacher’s humble home at the edge of the forest. The house is run down and badly needs a paint job, but even from a block away, they can smell the glorious scent of the Etrog as they approach. When they head around the house, they see the biggest and most beautiful Sukkah they have ever seen. The schach branches are so green they seem alive, and hanging from the top are flowers and fruit and colorful artwork. And the smell of the dinner….Wow! While Rivkah and the rest of the family are having a wonderful time, the Rabbi is consumed with jealousy. Shouldn’t he have the best Sukkah? The most fragrant Etrog? The Rabbi gets so frustrated he begins chewing on his beard, and says to himself, “Would it be too much to ask for a single fly to come, so everything at the teacher’s house wouldn’t be so perfect?” The moment the Rabbi makes this wish, a distant rumble is heard that starts growing louder and louder. Soon, a giant fly the size of a cantaloupe zooms into the Sukkah! The guests dive for cover. The Rabbi sits petrified in his chair. The giant fly circles his head three times, knocks off the rabbi’s fancy hat, and then makes off for the horizon. The Rabbi is in shock. “What in heaven was that?!” The teacher answers calmly, “Well, I saw that you were unhappy, and so when you wished for a fly, I prayed for one to come. I do hope it has made you feel better.” The Rabbi begins to suspect that something is up. This teacher has the most beautiful Sukkah and the most fragrant Etrog, knows what the Rabbi is thinking, and his prayers were immediately answered. He begins to feel humbled, and says to the teacher, “I thought I was going to teach you something about Sukkot. But you have taught me — Now I remember that the Lulav, the Etrog, the Sukkah – all are for rejoicing before God, not for showing off. I thank my daughter Rivkah for helping me find you and learn this lesson. Please, may I sit in your class tomorrow as a student?” The teacher smiles gently, and says the Rabbi is always welcome. The next day, the Rabbi goes to class, but the teacher isn’t there. The Rabbi waits a whole hour, and the teacher never shows. As the time for class ends, the truth dawns on the Rabbi. The teacher was none other than Elijah the Prophet, who travels through the world, teaching and giving gifts wherever he goes. And, in fact, the teacher didn’t leave without saying goodbye. On the desk, glowing in the sunlight, is the exquisite Etrog. The Rabbi goes to the front of the room and lifts up the Etrog. The Rabbi, a great scholar who is used only to teaching at university-level classes, feels blessed to be standing before this class of eight-year-old girls. He smiles at the students. “This, my dear friends, is an Etrog. It is one of the most important parts of Sukkot. Isn’t is gorgeous? Doesn’t it smell wonderful? Let it lift our hearts, so we all may rejoice together!”

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As the Rabbi learns in the story, Sukkot is about delighting in the experience of rejoicing before God. We eat outside without our common luxuries, to remind ourselves that what brings us true joy is not what we own, but the way we can celebrate with friends and family. This Sukkot, may we all be blessed to celebrate with our loved ones, and to feel gratitude and blessing for the abundance of the natural world all around us.

Chag Sameach, Rabbi Margie