by Rabbi Koval
At our JFX Yom Kippur service, 7-year old Maya Solganik raised her
hand to ask me a question during the family service: "Why do
boys wear yarmulkes?" Does she mean boys and not girls, or is she
just curious about the meaning of wearing a yarmulke? I wondered.
Assuming the latter, I explained that the head covering reminds us to
be mindful of the Divine presence above us.
hand to ask me a question during the family service: "Why do
boys wear yarmulkes?" Does she mean boys and not girls, or is she
just curious about the meaning of wearing a yarmulke? I wondered.
Assuming the latter, I explained that the head covering reminds us to
be mindful of the Divine presence above us.
She got me thinking about this concept in relation to the upcoming
holiday of Sukkot. A sukkah is very similar to a yarmulke, both
physically and philosophically. You see, sukkah walls can be made out
of anything. Literally. In Israel you'll find them creatively made
out of spaghetti, diet coke bottles, you name it. But the nature of the "s'chach," the roof, is very specific and detailed. The natural material, the
consistency. It must be thick enough to create a majority of shade,
but thin enough to see the stars.
Why? Because the sukkah reminds us
of the Divine presence above us. Both historically (to our ancestors
in the desert) and here and now (looking out for G-d's divine
providence and love in our own lives.
of the Divine presence above us. Both historically (to our ancestors
in the desert) and here and now (looking out for G-d's divine
providence and love in our own lives.
Sometimes it's easier than others to recognize Divine providence
("hashgachah pratis" - HP power for you Nageela girls!) when we see it.
("hashgachah pratis" - HP power for you Nageela girls!) when we see it.
This
past Sunday, I found myself unusually hungry (grumbling stomach and
all) during my early morning class and prayer service. I was craving a
bagel but realized that I
accidentally left my wallet at home. I had resigned myself to the fact
that I would not have time for a proper breakfast that morning. Coming
out to the parking lot, I noticed a real, honest-to-goodness, wet $10
bill on the empty parking lot space next to me. I had my bagel after
all, treating myself with my Divine bounty to lox spread, onion and
tomato! Look for the Divine love and providence "in this season of
joy" and you'll discover serenity all year round.
accidentally left my wallet at home. I had resigned myself to the fact
that I would not have time for a proper breakfast that morning. Coming
out to the parking lot, I noticed a real, honest-to-goodness, wet $10
bill on the empty parking lot space next to me. I had my bagel after
all, treating myself with my Divine bounty to lox spread, onion and
tomato! Look for the Divine love and providence "in this season of
joy" and you'll discover serenity all year round.
Have a wonderful Sukkot!
