Sedra of the week: Shabbat Chol Hamoed
Rabbi Alex Chapper looks ahead to this week's portion of the torah
After the spiritual drama of the High Holy days, it could appear that Succot is somewhat of an anti-climax. Having filled our shuls and homes with the sublime spirit worthy of this time of year, we then leave it all behind for the succah – a simple, flimsy and seemingly undignified hut. Is this the most appropriate way to end the holiday season?
Succot is referred to as zeman simchateinu – the season of our rejoicing and various explanations are offered for this description. It displays our joy and confidence that we have been judged favourably for the coming year, and is
a symbol of the unity of the Jewish people.
However, my favourite reason is that its central observance – dwelling in the succah – is the only mitzvah that can be performed with the entire body. Other mitzvot require the use of one or more of our faculties, but the succah is unique in requiring our whole being to enter into it. The opportunity to connect with God at the beginning of a new year is a source of great delight.
This fact is emphasised in the Talmud, which refers to Succot simply as ha’chag – “the festival”. It is the archetypal celebration of our relationship with God and Judaism.
If our approach to our heritage is half-hearted, then we cannot possibly hope to be uplifted by it. Only when we practice Judaism with our whole being, fully investing both heart and soul, do we experience the joy that is its essence.
- Rabbi Alex Chapper serves Elstree & Borehamwood Synagogue and is the Children’s Rabbi, childrensrabbi.com
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
