Sukkah of Peace
Sukkah of Peace

Succoth: Sukkah of Peace

The Sabbath evening prayers use a peculiar metaphor for peace:

“May You spread over us a sukkah of Your peace.”

Why pray for a sukkah, a makeshift booth, of peace? Would it not be better to have a “fortress of peace” - strong, secure, and lasting?

Even Imperfect Peace

Jewish law validates a sukkah even when it has gaping holes, when it is built from little more than two walls, or has large spaces between the walls and the roof. Even such a fragile structure still qualifies as a kosher sukkah. The same is true regarding peace. Peace is so precious, so vital, that even if we are unable to attain complete peace, we should still pursue a partial measure of peace. Even an imperfect peace between neighbors, or between an individual and the community, is worthwhile.

How great is peace!” proclaimed the Sages (VaYikra Rabbah 9:9). The value of peace is so great that we pray for it even if it will be like a sukkah - flimsy and temporary, rendered fit only by special laws.

(Silver from the Land of Israel. Adapted from Mo'adei HaRe’iyah p. 97, sent to Arutz Sheva by Rabbi Chanan Morrison of Ravkooktorah. org)

See also: The Role of the Lowly Willow