In the 1930's in a NY suburb a Jewish individual built a Sukkah for the holiday of Succos. The village municipality, not acquainted with Jewish customs, gave him a violation and summoned him to court to order him to take down the structure. To the luck of this individual the judge was a Jew who knew that this Mitzvah (commandment) is only for 9 days. The judge hears the case and with a smirk declares, “Mr. you need to take down the hut that was built without a permit. I give you ten days to have it dismantled!”

This coming Sunday night starts the holiday of Succos. We leave our homes and eat in a small hut of four walls and natural foliage for roofing. One of reasons for this Mitzvah (commandment) is, because the holiday of Succos falls after the summer, which in an agricultural cycle, is when most of the harvests have been gathered. At this time of the year, there is abundance of food and a feeling of reassurance that there will be food for the long winter.

The Sukkah reminds us that we are here in the physical world only temporarily, and that we shouldn't get haughty and self-centered after the wealth of the new harvest.

The above story underscores the temporary nature of the Sukkah. In the Sukkah one would only bring in the essentials for living, it's not worth to invest in a dwelling that is only temporary. The Sukkah prompts us to ask ourselves, what is essential and necessary in life and what is extraneous and a distraction.

This doesn't mean that we should deprive ourselves of pleasures and live an ascetic lifestyle. Judaism teaches that the physical world is most enjoyed when it's an end to something greater and not an end to itself. When the finite becomes a ‘means' to reach the infinite, life becomes ‘meaningful'.

Before asking the question of what is necessary and what is extraneous, one needs to ask, “For what am I needed?” When a person has a purpose in life, the details of what is needed and for what it is needed fall into place.

Some people search the big issues to find meaning in life, like saving the planet from… fill in the blanks. The places to find meaning are really very close to a person, and not necessarily in insurmountable tasks. By looking around, one can find where their time and attention is needed to bring light to other people. It can be a neighbor or family member who needs some more attention and care.

When a person brings light to another person, they become a conduit to the Light of G-d, which in turn enlightens the giver.

It's not only other people that need our attention; we ourselves also need more of our own attention. We shouldn't let ourselves be carried away by rote and by what society dictates. We need to give care and attention to our habits and schedules. This can include improving our health and eating habits, improving our social circles to not become entangled in gossip, giving more time to read, meditate, pray, or study sacred texts. Improving ourselves is no less an act of giving than improving others. Our enthusiasm and spirit in our own lives should spill over and include everyone around us.

May it be so!

Thanks to Rabbi Shais Taub from Chabad.org for the idea and story.

Questions? Email me: moshe@jaketv.tv