BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated and sponsored l’iluy nishmat Chaim Raphael ben Yitchak z’l. May his neshama rest and bask in the Divine radiance among all of the righteous souls who have departed from this world, Amen.
Today, the 18th of Tishrei, is the yahrtzeit of Rebbe Nachman ben Faiga ztk’l Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Rebbe Nachman is a unique figure in the history of Chassidut, the Jewish revival movement founded by his great-grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov HaKadosh. In his lifetime, the Rebbe was well-known as a Chassidic master, attracting hundreds of followers. Today, over 200 years after his passing, his following numbers in the tens of thousands, making him a vibrant source of encouragement and guidance in today’s world. May he serve as an advocate for Klal Yisrael, Amen. (Breslov.org)
There is only one truth – there is nothing else but Hashem.
Yet Hashem hid His presence in order that we experience our own individuality. The key point is not to get lost in this reality and think that we are all that exists. The root of all difficulty is precisely when we forget that we live with an illusion and that Hashem is not separate and ‘somewhere out there’. Succot comes to make us aware of a deeper reality – we are intimately connected to Hashem.
Particularly now when the world around us is tipsy turvy, entrenched with uncertainty and chaos, we need to return to the only pillar of truth, Hashem is here – within, without and everywhere. This amazing chag comes to remind us that as we journeyed through the desert, a place deserted of life, the Jewish people survived. They were protected, sustained and clearly felt how dependent they were on Hashem’s care. This consciousness has remained innate within every Jew until today; and resurfaces during turbulent times.
I recently came across an amazing interpretation of the end of days scenario ‘Gog u-Magog’ where it suggests that Gog refers to the Hebrew word ga’ahg, roof. A roof symbolizes protection, perhaps a false sense of security that comes from anything but Hashem. The schach, roof of the succah comes to teach us that life is flimsy and uncertain; there is no security other than to rely on the compassionate loving hand of Hashem.
It is vital to not just ‘know’ this intellectually, but to sit in the succah and let our entire being become one with Hashem’s Oneness. Break away from the façade and delusion by embracing this chag; grasp the essence of life as it actually is.
As we let go of the ‘things in life’ that appear to be our security – our banks accounts, homes, talents, etc. we move into our succahs. We acknowledge and proclaim, ‘It is only You Hashem Who I rely on’.
May this G-dly embrace continue to ‘hug our reality’ this coming year even as we live in our ‘sturdy built homes’, Amen.
