Sukkot: New Life, National Triumph, and Faith

This year’s Sukkot marks a deeply personal milestone for me, one that is intertwined with the greater narrative of Jewish history and the remarkable times in which we live. As I celebrate my 71st Hebrew birthday, I find myself reflecting on the profound blessings and challenges that shape our lives.

First and foremost, my family has been blessed with the birth of my 13th grandchild, a beautiful granddaughter born to my youngest son and his wife. Her arrival brings with it a sense of renewal and hope, a reminder of the continuity of life even in times of great upheaval. Despite some challenges—she is slightly jaundiced and has been under lights for treatment—my son has been by her side, keeping her calm and comfortable, embodying the love and dedication that define the fabric of our family.

This new life feels especially significant as we gather for Sukkot, a holiday that celebrates both fragility and resilience. The sukkah, with its delicate structure, reminds us of the temporary nature of our physical world. And yet, within its walls, we find strength and unity, knowing that our true protection comes from something far greater than ourselves.

Just as my granddaughter’s birth brings light into our family, the events unfolding around us as a nation are equally momentous. This week, the news of Yaya Sinwar’s killing by a brave Israeli soldier reverberated across Israel, bringing a sense of collective relief. For years, Sinwar has been a symbol of terror and violence, orchestrating attacks that have caused immeasurable suffering. His death, during this sacred time of Sukkot, feels like a victory not just for Israel, but for justice and peace.

It is not lost on me how these events align with the themes of Sukkot. The holiday commemorates our ancestors’ journey through the desert, where they relied entirely on divine protection. Today, in a modern world fraught with dangers, we are reminded that while we must take decisive action to protect ourselves, the veiled hand of God continues to guide and protect us. The convergence of these personal and national events highlights the resilience of our people—a resilience that has sustained us through centuries of exile, persecution, and war.

For me personally, this year’s Sukkot is a time of deep reflection. I recently visited my parents’ graves, recalling the incredible journey they made from Europe to the United States. My father, who was expelled from medical school in Vienna, left his parents behind, hoping one day to ransom them from the dangers that loomed. Tragically, that day never came, and they perished in Auschwitz. My mother, too, came to America with her parents, leaving behind other family members who were lost in the Holocaust. These bittersweet memories are always with me, but they feel especially poignant during Sukkot, when we remember the hardships and the miracles that have shaped our collective story.

As I sit in the sukkah this year, surrounded by my wife, children, and grandchildren, I cannot help but marvel at the contrast between my early years and today. As a young boy, I struggled to construct my first sukkah, often eating alone, the only religious member of my immediate family. Now, I am blessed with a large, vibrant family, all of whom gather together to celebrate our traditions. The sense of continuity, from my parents’ survival to the birth of my granddaughter, is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the Jewish people.

This Sukkot, we are reminded that even in times of darkness, there is light. Even in moments of vulnerability, there is strength. Whether through the birth of a new life, the defeat of an enemy, or the gathering of loved ones under the shelter of the sukkah, we see the hand of Providence at work, guiding us forward. And as we face the challenges that lie ahead, we do so with the knowledge that we, as a people, are resilient—rooted in faith, bound by tradition, and forever protected by something greater than ourselves.