The Season of Building
Sukkot is known as z’man shimchateinu, the time of our rejoicing. One of the major mitzvot of the holiday is to ‘dwell’ in a sukkah. So we build these temporary structures. In writing a new prayer for Sukkot, I selected building as the central metaphor, while weaving in the core theme of rejoicing. Although building is perhaps a less obvious choice, my intent is to emphasize that rejoicing flows naturally from the active choice to build a life of wonder and awe, integrity and honor. Here’s a link to more prayers for Sukkot.
The Season of Building
This is the season of building:
Of building tents of holiness,
Of building shelters of peace,
In our land and in our hearts.
This is the season of rejoicing:
Of rejoicing in G-d’s bounty and grace,
Of rejoicing in the radiance and splendor,
In heaven and on earth.
This is the season of thanksgiving:
Of giving thanks for the gifts of the land,
Of giving thanks for gifts yet to come,
As we delight in the wonders of creation.
This is the season of building:
The season of building tabernacles of joy and gladness,
In our moments and in our days,
In our homes and in our lives.
This is the season that summons jubilation and exultation
As we yearn for the great promise to be fulfilled:
A world of harmony and love,
Under one great Sukkah,
A sanctuary of wonder and awe
For all nations and all peoples,
Men and women arrayed in the light of G-d’s glory,
Until the end of days.
© 2012 Alden Solovy and http://www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
Postscript: Here’s a link to more prayers for Sukkot. This is part of a series of prayers tied to various holidays and seasonal themes in the Jewish calendar, including: “The Season of Freedom,” “The Season of Dedication,” The Season of Counting,” “The Season of Healing” and “The Season of Return.”
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Beautiful, Alden. Thank you <3
Until the end of time…