Shabbat Hol Hamoed Sukkot

In every evening service, at the end of the section in which we recite the Sh’ma, we say the prayer that begins“Hashkiveinu — let us lie down in peace.” It is a prayer for comfort and security as we face the vulnerability that comes with darkness and with sleep. In the version of the prayer that we say on Shabbat and holidays, we end by asking God to “spread over us your sukkah of peace.”

Why do we think of the sukkah — a temporary, flimsy structure — as a symbol of security? It seems to represent the opposite, vulnerability.

Perhaps the point is to remind us that we do not find comfort and security behind thick walls and locked doors. Rather, we find them in the support of those around us, and the love of God. It is in the sukkah, with its openness and fragility, that we find real peace, because it is there that we remember where our real strength lies.

May our openness to one another bring us peace throughout the year.

The New Shul’s Shabbat services are on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm, and on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon. The kiddush-lunch this Shabbat, October 22, is at the Kanter/Wasserman sukkah.
Childcare is available from 10 am to noon on Shabbat mornings. Our learning service for grades 2 to 4 is from 11 to 11:40 am.
Services for Sh’mini Atzeret, Monday October 24, begin at 9 am, and include Yizkor, the memorial prayer.
Erev Simhat Torah is Monday night October 24. Join us for hakafot and dancing beginning at 7 pm. Our service for the morning of Simhat Torah, Tuesday October 25, begins at 9 am.
On Shabbat morning, October 29, we will celebrate the bat mitzvah of Eliana Sarfati.
On Sunday morning October 30, at 10 am, the Phoenix Zoo will visit The New Shul in honor of parshat Noah. Bring your children and grandchildren. All are welcome.
On Shabbat morning, November 5, we will celebrate the (2nd) bar mtizvah of Howard Wernick, as he reaches the age of 83.
On Shabbat morning, November 12, we will celebrate the bar mitzvah of Elijah Don.
On the Shabbat of November 18-19, our visiting teacher will be Rabbi David Jaffe.