The Blogs: How the Wrong Piano Concerto Connects to Sukkot

It was meant to be a routine lunchtime performance. The Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires was set to play Mozart’s Concerto No. 21 alongside the Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra. However, once the orchestra started playing, Maria realized – to her absolute shock – that the orchestra was playing a different piece – the Concerto No. 20!

Panicking, Maria informed conductor Riccardo Chailly–while he was conducting–that she hadn’t practiced the no. 20, and didn’t have the sheet music. Instead of stopping, Chailly encouraged her, knowing she had performed the piece in a previous season. Despite her nerves, Maria overcame her shock, mustered the courage, and began to play. She delivered a remarkable performance, setting an inspiring example of overcoming challenges with determination and resolve (watch video to appreciate what happened.)

Sukkot’s main theme is similar: we eat (and some also sleep) in a flimsy, transient sukkah for 7 days, not knowing what weather hazards and unfortunate surprises await us. But the holiday calls on us to rise to the challenge.

This year, while we have a home to go to in case of trouble, many people don’t. They are the homeless in our cities. They are the millions of people in Gaza and Lebanon whose homes have turned into rubble (with thousands dying slowly in that rubble). They are the hostages still held more than a year after being kidnapped.

Sukkot inspires us to focus on their plight, and actively advocate for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the Israeli siege and occupation, and a release of all hostages to the safety of their homes.

Chag Sukkot Sameach!