Celebrating the ‘time of our happiness’

Sukkot begins at sundown on Sept. 27

Posted

 

What is happiness? It’s a question that has left philosophers pondering for ages. To some, it may be a vacation, a car, a house, or maybe a general feeling of contentment and excitement. 

Happiness is typically associated with a special — yet often ephemeral — euphoria. However, Jewish philosophers consider happiness to be satisfaction with an individual’s unique lot in life. This theme is central to Judaism and the holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, which will be celebrated from sundown on Sept. 27 through Oct. 6 this year.

Traditionally called “the time of our happiness,” Sukkot and Simchat Torah are two of the most joyous holidays in Judaism. Sukkot commemorates the nomadic lifestyle lived by the Jewish people for 40 years in the Sinai Desert after the exodus from Egypt. 

During that time, the Jews were nomadic and God provided for all their needs. The manna, miraculous food that rained down from heaven, provided for their nutritional needs, while clouds of glory surrounded them, providing shelter and protection. Although most of us would not be particularly excited to live such a lifestyle, the ancient Jews were satisfied with God’s blessings and appreciated his bounty. To commemorate this, Jewish people have the custom to eat all meals during Sukkot in a sukkah, a temporary hut covered by a roof made of organic material, called s’chach in Hebrew. Some individuals sleep in the sukkah as well. The sukkah reminds us that our lives on this world are finite, and we are just transients in a temporary, physical environment. We must maximize our time in this world, as a person only leaves this universe with the good deeds he or she performs — neither with any physical possessions nor material wealth. 

Page 1 / 2