The Scariest Week in the Jewish Calendar

Not everyone knows this, but the last five days are the most dangerous in the Jewish calendar. The danger doesn’t come from some sort of terrorist threat or a wave of anti-Semitic attacks, no this threat comes from ourselves. You see, during the five days between Yom Kippur and Sukkot, Jewish people all across the world are building their Sukkahs (a tent like structure that we will be eating in for the next week). And believe me, there is NOTHING scarier than a Jewish man using hand tools!

Thankfully ours went up last night without incident.

Sukkot has a lot of great meanings, perhaps the best one for today’s world is the fact that it is the Holiday when we pray for the rest of the world. And whatever your religion or political affiliation, I am sure that you will agree that the world needs it! In Temple times, the High Priest used to make 70 sacrifices during Sukkot, representing a prayer for each of the nations of the world, today we can offer prayers.

So maybe ya’ll can join me over the next few days, pray for the safety of each nation, may they all remain safe and prosperous, may the ones who fight terror remain vigilant, the ones that promote terror reform their ways, and the ones that are on the fence get a backbone. You don’t have to be Jewish---as Kinky Freedman, the next Governor of Texas would say, “Pray to the God of your choice”

And for those of you who, like me, will be experiencing the joy of Shabbos dinner tonight in a Sukkah, a good Shabbos, Gut Yuntiff, and remember to bundle up, there is a cold front coming in from Canada, and the Department of Homeland Security has put out a Jewish Mother Sweater Alert.

Shabbat Shalom