Under the Clouds of Glory

This time of year is always bittersweet, since childhood it has always been a very special time for me. I am a child of nature at heart, it is where I feel most comfortable, maybe because it is where I feel closest to G*D. Long before I knew of Sukkot, sensing the days growing short, you could find me spending extra time in the great outdoors hiking with my dog. Learning of this special time that HaShem gave to us was amazing to me. I jumped in wholeheartedly as I tend to do with everything and have never looked back. As I celebrate at least ten years of this mitzvah, I am blessed with memories of building, decorating, cooking, Torah study, praying, dancing, amazing moons, campfires, (kosher marshmallows, making some-ores, thanks kids!), shooting stars,(Russian translation of what is the significance of the Tabernacle, camping, goat-in-rut, all in the same year, thanks Natasha!), and just one on one time with beloved friends. It is hard when you have so many unforgettable memories to not compare one year to the next. But as I get older I realize that each year has it's lessons and special meaning if our hearts are only open to them. So each year, I will try to glean everything I can from the gift of it's passing....... This year I had no formal plans, I am by myself, and at first I was at a loss. As always I am not alone HaShem is my right hand. With the help of HaShem I built a Sukkah, my neighbor donated some boards, he very graciously did not say I was crazy. In years past I foraged for the ingredients that make up the Lulav and made one, although not kosher it was what it was. But after studying the significance of the mitzvah, I felt the need to do it right, so this year will be my first year of purchasing a kosher one. It's funny I had to build a Sukkah befitting the Lulav. How could I bring a Lulav home without a home for it to come to! That is one of the things I love about G*D's grace, He let's us learn at our own pace, He wants nothing more than our companionship on this amazing journey.

So beloved the work of Teshevah begins. What an amazing G*D we serve. He gives us these days to strengthen us in our journey of repair. We can gain strength knowing that our people all over the world are integrating the power and awe of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper into their lives, knowing that we are not alone in our struggle is some how comforting. There is so much to learn from Sukkot and the Lulav,"As we raise our eyes on high and behold Who created these things" Isiah 40:26 I will leave you with this thought for now. As we dwell in our "booths" with bamboo for a roof let us be reminded of the Clouds of Glory which hoovered over the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. May we see and know that those Clouds are with us still.
Shabbat Shalom
Elizabeth

The Baal Shem Tov and The ARI say that there is power in reading the Halftorah of these seven days, here is the list:

The Torah readings each day for 7 days culminating in a reading of the whole book of Deuteronomy after Midnight on the Seventh Day which we refer to as Hoshana Rabah. HoShana Rabah means Large. Sukkot is usually translated as Booths or Temporary Stucture.

The Torah readings are as follows:

1. 15th of Tishrai - October 3 2009 - Reading is Leviticus Chapter 22 Verse 26 to Chapter 23 Verse 44 a total of 52 Verses.

2. 16th of Tishrai - October 4 2009 - Reading is Leviticus Chapter 22 Verse 26 to Chapter 23 Verse 44 a total of 52 Verses.
3. 17th of Tishrai - October 5 2009 - Reading is Numbers Chapter 29 Verse 17 to Verse 25 a total of 9 Verses. Please note this is a continuation of the 5 verses which is the Maftir of the First and Second day of Sukkot.

4. 18th of Tishrai - October 6 2009 - Reading is Numbers Chapter 29 Verse 20 to Verse 28 a total of 9 Verses. Please note that this has a duplication of 6 Verses from the day before.

5. 19th of Tishrai - October 7 2009 - Reading is Numbers Chapter 29 Verse 23 to Verse 31 a total of 9 Verses.Please note that this has a duplication of 6 Verses from the day before.

6. 20th of Tishrai - October 8 2009 - Reading is Numbers Chapter 29 Verse 26 to Verse 34 a total of 9 Verses.Please note that this has a duplication of 6 Verses from the day before.
7. Hoshana Rabah - 21st of Tishrai - October 9 2009 - Reading is Numbers Chapter 29 Verse 26 to Verse 34 a total of 9 Verses. Please note that this is a duplicate of the day before. Also during the night before the Book of Deuteronomy is read.