Tomorrow is October 7, and marks two years since Hamas brutally attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people, taking more than 250 hostages, and starting a horrific war. Most of us can remember exactly where we were that morning, and we have spent every day since thinking about and praying for the return of our hostages and the safety and well-being of our Israeli brothers and sisters.
Right now, we are anxiously awaiting the outcome of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. I am cautiously hopeful that we could see the return of all the hostages and the end of the war, and that this could be the beginning of a better future for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire region.
This year, October 7 falls on the holiday of Sukkot. We will mark this solemn anniversary with our families and communities, seeking the light of the holiday season amid the darkness we see every day in our world. I encourage you to bear witness and commemorate this anniversary by visiting the Nova Exhibition here in Boston sometime in the next two weeks. The exhibit is a powerful reminder of what happened on that tragic day in Jewish history.
Especially in light of last week’s news of the terrorist attack at a synagogue on Yom Kippur in Manchester, England — and the many other recent attacks on Jews, politicians, and houses of worship across faiths — Nova also shows us how hatred, terror, and violence threaten to destroy lives and communities.
The Nova exhibit forces us to face the darkness of terror, but the survivors of Nova and the community they have created also shine a light of healing, resilience, love, and joy. “We will dance again,” their mission statement, could be the mantra of the Jewish People.
Tomorrow we also transition from the deep reflection of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to the lightness and joy of Sukkot.
Sukkot invites us into temporary dwellings that are stable but fragile. Our job is to build these holy structures, but Sukkot reminds us that we are not actually in total control. We do not and cannot bear the burden of fixing everything. We can do our best, be grateful for what we have, and appreciate the joy of being together with family, friends, and community.
In turn, the gratitude, joy, and relationships to which we return on Sukkot give us comfort, perspective, and strength to keep working, improving, and building when we emerge from the holidays.
Wishing you all a joy-filled Sukkot that inspires us to begin the work of the year ahead. May the days to come bring good news and the return of all the hostages.
Chag Sameach,
Rabbi Marc Baker