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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 by nurture. My father brought me and my sibs up to love and appreciate nature. Hiking, fishing, berry picking, camping, who knew we were poor! Lightning, amazing! We would count the seconds till the thunder so that we would know exactly where the storm was. I have my Father and my father to thank for the gift of nature. Is it any wonder why it is where I feel most comfortable, 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 such a blessing to me. I jumped in wholeheartedly as I tend to do with everything and I have never looked back.

 Celebrating at least twelve years of this mitzvah, I am blessed with memories of building, decorating, cooking, Torah study, dancing, (thanks Dale and Sheri), praying, amazing moons, shooting stars, campfires, howling coyotes (thanks Devorah and David), kosher marshmallows, making some-ores, (thanks kids!), Russian translation of what is the significance of the Tabernacle, camping, goat-in-rut, all in the same year, (thanks Natasha!), and one on one time with beloved friends(thanks Dekynes) 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 try to glean everything I can from the gift of it's passing....... This year as always I am not alone HaShem is my right hand. With the help of HaShem I built a Sukkah, my neighbor donated some tarp and extension cords and very graciously did not say I was crazy. It's been awhile since I had to forage for the ingredients that make up the Lulav and make one, although it is not kosher I know that HaShem has blessed it and my most amazing organic lemon is in it's glory.

So beloved the work of Teshuvah begins. HaShem gives us these days to strengthen us on 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~Elisheva
Enjoy this song from your Father in Heaven cause He is gonna make this place our home.