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After a month of warm weather, the rain has arrived which means Succot must be nearly here. We're all hoping it eases up a little to allow us to spend at least some time in the succah.

 

Succot is known as 'zman simchateinu', the time of our rejoicing, a festival of pure joy following the tension and drama of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We'd usually be spending the time with family and friends popping in and out of each other's succot. Sadly, this year will be a very different Succot.

 

But, that's not stopped us getting creative. Together with Hampstead Synagogue, the Beverley Hills Synagogue in Los Angeles, the Commonwealth Jewish Council and the Jewish Agency, join us next week for The World's Biggest Succah Hop: Live!

 

From the comfort of your home, we're inviting you to join Jewish communities around the world for what will be a truly global "Succah Hop". Travel with us to five continents and tune in as we explore the unique cultures, customs and traditions of our global Jewish community. We'll be live on TheUS.tv on Wednesday evening (7 October) at 6pm and available to watch on-demand afterwards.

 

And we're not stopping there. Tribe has organised a Succot van packed with music, activities and flags for children to decoate. It's visiting a number of our communities and Jewish schools next week for Covid-secure sessions with Tribe Rabbis Eli Levin and Cobi Ebrahimoff and we can't wait to show you the photos.

 

Next Friday (9 October) we'll be broadcasting another Yizkor service online for anyone who can't make it to shul on Shemini Atzeret next week. We'll have details in next week's You&US.

 

Finally, a word of thanks once more to our extraordinary Rabbis, Rebbetzens, professional staff, lay leaders and volunteers for achieving something quite extraordinary: Covid-secure Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services for thousands of members across our communities. Thank you. 

 

Thank you too for the wonderful feedback on the National Online Yizkor broadcast in partnership with the Office of the Chief Rabbi and the Kol Nidre service in partnership with Pinner United Synagogue. Some 30,000 people tuned in which is quite staggering and we were pleased to have been able to provide some comfort and connection at this challenging time.

 

Shabbat shalom and Chag sameach,

 

Richard Verber

Communications Director

United Synagogue

 

P.S. Because of Yom Tov this week and next, there is no Kabbalat Shabbat service for the next two weeks. We'll resume broadcasting services, please God, on Friday 16 October.

Abraham was an etrog. 

 

This surprising statement is featured in the midrash Torat Kohanim, which declares: "Etrog zeh Avraham Avinu." 

 

Abraham, our patriarch, was the personification of the characteristics of the etrog - the citron - which is one of the four kinds which we take over the festival of Sukkot.

 

What logic can we read into this statement? And if the midrash is going to compare the etrog to a Biblical character, why davka is it Abraham and not anyone else?

 

The Gemara in Masechet Sukkah (35a) brings to us the words of the Torah: "Pri etz hadar." This is how an etrog is described by the Torah. It's the fruit of a citrus tree. 

 

The Gemara tells us that the term hadar also literally means, "which lives" or "which resides." That's its description of the etrog which lives on the tree. And it’s true - remarkably an etrog never falls off the tree, not even when it’s ripe. You have to pluck the etrog off the tree. 

 

The etrog therefore is a symbol of dependability and continuity, and that sums up the character of Avraham Avinu. He continuously followed the word of Hashem. Nothing could stop him from doing so. For example, straight after his brit milah, there he was outside his tent in the heat of the day to welcome visitors. Nothing could stop him from dispensing chessed, acts of loving kindness towards others. Even though he had prayed to Hashem to save the inhabitants of Sedom and Amorrah after they were destroyed the very next morning he returned, "el hamakom asher amad sham," - to the same place where he stood every single day, in order to daven to Hashem. 

 

So too when Hashem commanded him to take his son, his only son, to the akeidah, after three long days of the journey, his passion had not waned. Avraham was absolutely committed to this most challenging of tasks. Neither Nimrod and his fiery furnace nor the threats of Pharaoh, King of Egypt could stop Avraham from continuing to follow the word of Hashem.

 

Therefore it makes a lot of sense that Avraham is compared to the etrog, and I find it so apt, so timely, so suitable that immediately after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, right at the beginning of a new year the etrog, in being compared to Avraham Avinu, reminds us of the timeless and crucially important lesson which is that while occasional and seasonal interest in Judaism must be welcomed, nonetheless it’s only 24/7 commitment to Torah law which will guarantee our continuity.

 

I wish you Shabbat shalom and Chag sameach.

 

In last week's You&US we launched 'Tell US', our new section where we invite you to contribute a joke, a poem or a story. We were thrilled at the response and look forward to turning the spotlight on your literary creations over the coming weeks and months!

 

This week's contribution is by David Walters, a member of Watford & District United Synagogue.

 

Our Patriarchs

 

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Are honoured and revered.

No doubt, in their time,

They were both loved and feared.

 

As Old Testament figures

Of fame they have no lack;

But I like to think of them

As Abie, Izzy and Jack.

 

They led long and eventful lives

Which kept them very busy

Lots of children and many wives

Had Abie, Jack and Izzy.

 

Their faith in God was boundless.

For them there was no “maybe”.

You really have to admire

Izzy, Jack and Abie.

 

And when, at last, the Messiah comes

I’m sure that they’ll be back.

Do you think they’ll mind me calling them

Abie, Izzy and Jack?

 

 

Please send your submissions to youandus@theus.org.uk.

 

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