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Marathon Jewish
Community Center's Cyber Shul
Sukkot 5767
Candle Lighting Time:
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 6:28 p.m.
Thursday, September 27, 2007 after 7:28 p.m.
Friday, September 28, 2007 6:25 p.m.
On Shabbat Hol
Hamoed Sukkot, the Sabbath during the week long celebration of Sukkot, we
read the Scroll of Ecclesiastes during services in the sancturary. Even
if the name of the book doesn’t strike a familiar bell in your memory, you
probably know the opening lines anyway. “Vanity of vanities, says Kohellet,
vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” (1:2) I thought of the above verse
when I read Issac Bashevitz Singer words after he received the Nobel price
for literature at the age of 77. Singer said that he was surprised and
happy after his 1978 Nobel selection, but 20 minutes later he was the same
man “with the same worries and troubles.” The failure of human
achievements to bring lasting satisfaction was expressed well by I. B.
Singer. Less than half an hour after being so highly acclaimed he
realized that he was burdened with the same cares as before.
King Solomon, the
traditionally ascribed author of Ecclesiastes, having tasted fully of the
pleasures of this world concluded, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Success, material processions, and pleasures fail to satisfy the craving
of the human soul. What the world offers, of course, can no provide
momentary enjoyment. But after its sweet taste has been savored, people
are quickly left empty and crying for more. Only when we turn to God do
we find satisfaction for our deepest needs-the forgiveness of our
transgressions and peace with God. (Our tradition teaches us that we have
a grace period after Yom Kippur to become reconciled with our fellow human
beings and God in order to be inscribed in the Book of Life. This grace
period extends to the very last day of Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah.)
God tells Duetero-Isaiah,
“Ho, all who are thirsty, come for water, even if you have no money; come,
buy food and eat; buy food without money, wine and milk without cost. Why
do you spend money for what is not bread, your earnings for what does not
satisfy? Give heed to Me…Incline your ear and come to Me; hearken, and
you shall be revived. And I will make with you an everlasting covenant…”
(Is. 55:1-3) Those how drink only from the wells of this world must
conclude with Solomon that “all is vanity,” But those who drink of the
waters of Torah find true refreshment and lasting satisfaction.
Hag Sukkot Samayach,
Rabbi Gary Greene
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