Sukkot (Exodus 33:12 – 34:16)

Note: The audio mp3 attached is not related to this week's Shabbat Shalom. Please click the link to watch Sondra share on Sukkot on YouTube.

This week is the holiday of Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the middle of Sukkot falls on Shabbat, so once again the regular Torah reading is suspended and a special portion for the holiday is read instead. We read from Exodus, Chapter 33. The section discusses G-d’s covenant with Moses and that His presence will dwell with the Jewish people. He tells Moses to carve new tablets upon which G-d will engrave the Ten Commandments and up on Mount Sinai G-d reveals His glory.

There will be a time when G-d will defeat our enemies, will enable us to live in peace in this Land, when the Temple will be rebuilt and we will once again celebrate the holiday of Succot as before. And the nations of the world will join us — not just those who come today as our friends and allies, but also those who were once our enemies, who survive G-d’s punishment and recognize G-d’s sovereignty. We wait for that day to come and pray for it, especially during the holiday of Succot.

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