Sukkoth is the “Time of our Merriment”, the “Harvest Festival.” It is also a time when we reside in the Sukka, reminding us the importance of protection from the stormy winds and rain of life. May we know how to spread out a Sukkah of peace, justice, involvement and caring on all people and on the whole world so that this holiday can be a “Time of Merriment” for everyone. May every man and woman be part of our oshpizin – hospitality - in the common Sukkah of all beings created in the image of G-d.

As every year, I have heard from many groups over the past few days and people that have used our Yom Kippur Vidui. This year, however, I received an email from a person who asked why we must be part of a festival of self-flagellation on Yom Kippur. The truth is that being involved in human rights all year round means that we deal with the darker, negative aspects of our society. Many of us also live with the feeling that we are never doing enough to fight against these injustices. There truly are harsh things in our society and there is always a task that we haven’t had time for. However, for the sake of balance and of our emotional health it is important to remember the good in our society and in us. For this reason we have the Shabbath, when we rest as if the world has been repaired and there is no need to work for social change. For this reason, it is good that we have the Harvest Festival to celebrate our spiritual harvest.

On this Chag Sukkoth let us all take the time to remember to celebrate all the good things we have built here over the past sixty years. Let us remember and celebrate the things we love in Israeli society and culture (or any society and culture, for those of us who are not Israeli). Let us remember all the people in our private lives and in our society whose lives are better today because of our activities over past year.

May it be thy will that the fruits of our spiritual harvest from this past year remind us change is possible and give us the strength to continue our efforts in this New Year.

Recent Articles by Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman

• Rosh HaShanah Thoughts: Sweetness comes from deeds that increase the Good in our world - September 29th, 2008
• Nizzavim: What will we stand for in the coming days and in the new year? - September 26th, 2008
• Balaq: Human Rights and adhering to a democratic process - July 10th, 2008
• Shavuot: Recognize and do what is right - June 6th, 2008
• Behuqqotay: Reward and Punishment - May 19th, 2008
• Yom HaAtzmaut: What gives me the Strength to Celebrate - May 7th, 2008
• Arik Ascherman: Rabbi-activist for the rights of Israelis, Palestinians, and foreign workers in Israel - June 4th, 2007
• The work that we do is not fun: Tikkun Olam and Human Rights - May 4th, 2007
• Tikkun olam: to make the world a little bit better - May 1st, 2007
• Passover, The Omer and Human Rights - April 5th, 2007
• Purim: Acts of justice bring us greater honor than the clothes of kings - March 1st, 2007
• Teruma: Building a human tabernacle united through the inner sanctuary that dwells with each of us - February 23rd, 2007
• Fakhri El-Diab Arrested - February 15th, 2007
• Beshallah: Building a society in which all can sing with joy - February 2nd, 2007
• Darkness has struck again - December 11th, 2006
• Hayye Sara: Needs common to all humanity - November 17th, 2006
• Lekh-Lekha: Living up to the moral heritage that Avraham and Sarah have bequeathed us - November 4th, 2006
• Sukkoth: Symbolic versus authentic homelessness - October 5th, 2006
• Selichot Ceremony - September 29th, 2006
• Tisha Bav: Justice, Law and Righteousness - July 28th, 2006
• Shabbat Hazon: What we must do to improve our situation - July 28th, 2006
• Devarim: Act with tzedakah and mishpat in all that we do - July 28th, 2006
• Tisha BAv: Human Rights and Self Criticism - July 21st, 2006
• Mase: Making an enemy into a Friend - July 21st, 2006
• Mattot: Human Rights and Collateral Damage - July 21st, 2006
• Why I Will Demonstrate - June 29th, 2006
• RHR Wins Court Victory: High Court Orders Security Forces to Protect Palestinian Farmers - June 26th, 2006
• Qorah: Clarity in arguments in defense of Human Rights - June 23rd, 2006
• Nizzavim: For what are we willing to stand up, and how? - May 26th, 2006
• Shavuot: A world based on righteousness, justice, goodness, mercy and faithfulness. - May 26th, 2006
• Bemidbar: Reaching out to the ones we would normally turn away - May 26th, 2006
• Behar: A vision of a just and caring society - May 19th, 2006
• Behuqqotay: Respect the moral order - May 19th, 2006
• Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman - May 12th, 2006
• Emor: Unity and equality between Jews and non-Jews in front of the law - May 12th, 2006
• Shemini: Partners with God - April 21st, 2006
• Va'era: Hear each other’s narratives - January 26th, 2006
• Miqqez: It is not too late to renew and fulfill the promises of old - December 30th, 2005
• Vayyeze: The Image of God in all - December 8th, 2005
• Noah: Knowing how to protest and to effect change - November 4th, 2005
• Sukkoth: Peace, justice, involvement and caring for all people - October 10th, 2005
• Ki-Tavo: Responsiblity to fulfill our Human Rights obligations - September 23rd, 2005
• Ki-Teze: We must stand in the breach and make sure that nobody is left behind - September 14th, 2005
• Shofetim: Pursue justice through mitzvot of commission - September 8th, 2005
• Devarim: You shall not be partial in judgement - August 12th, 2005
• Shabbat Hazon: Misplaced Priorities in Society - August 12th, 2005
• Mas'e: Expulsion, Democracy and Civil Disobedience - August 4th, 2005
• Mattot: Find the formulas allowing all of us to have our basic Human Rights and needs met. - July 28th, 2005
• Balaq: We cannot negotiate for peace on the one hand and violate Human Rights on the other - July 14th, 2005
• Shemini: Quench this strange fire and return to the fire commanded by God - April 1st, 2005
• Preventing Home Demolitions - March 22nd, 2005
• Pequde: Maintaining our belief in the goodness of people. - March 11th, 2005
• There Is A Kippah In The Rubble - April 15th, 2003

Categories: Holidays and Commemorations, Sukkoth
Tags: human rights, palestinians, peace, rest, settlers, truth