Ron and I enjoy decorating our sukkah each year in anticipation of the Festival of Sukkot. Traditionally, people put photos of ushpizin/ “special guests” that typically include the biblical and rabbinic ancestors in Judaism. Often hosts will add pictures of generations gone by.
We also make the opportunity to take advantage of the open nature of the sukkah – and we invite family, friends, and neighbors to join for a meal.
All this makes me think…. If you could invite one person (in our time or historically) to join you for a meal as a special guest, who would it be? What would you discuss? And for how long would that person stay?
After a week, the sukkah comes down. It’s a reminder that things in life change – and that we therefore have opportunities to nurture a moment in time to harness an important conversation.
A Moment in Time: “Inviting Guests into the Sukkah”
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
Dear all,
Ron and I enjoy decorating our sukkah each year in anticipation of the Festival of Sukkot. Traditionally, people put photos of ushpizin/ “special guests” that typically include the biblical and rabbinic ancestors in Judaism. Often hosts will add pictures of generations gone by.
We also make the opportunity to take advantage of the open nature of the sukkah – and we invite family, friends, and neighbors to join for a meal.
All this makes me think…. If you could invite one person (in our time or historically) to join you for a meal as a special guest, who would it be? What would you discuss? And for how long would that person stay?
After a week, the sukkah comes down. It’s a reminder that things in life change – and that we therefore have opportunities to nurture a moment in time to harness an important conversation.
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Israeli Singer Eden Golan Advances to Grand Final of Eurovision
Brave-ish wins Literary Titan Gold Book Award
Proud Jews, Despite Everything
ADL, Brandeis Center File Complaints Against Occidental, Pomona College Over Antisemitism
Beit Issie Shapiro’s Global Impact: Transforming Lives and Communities
Remembering Joe Lieberman
Culture
From Unexpected Offer to Cannes Triumph: The Jewish Succession
Food Memories – and Recipes – for Mother’s Day
A G-d Squad and a Perfect Herby Salmon
Constituting the American Experiment
Let There Be Love – A poem for Parsha Kedoshim
Let love be love …
A Moment in Time: “Because That’s What Jews Do”
A Bisl Torah – We Will Find a Way
With our commitment to never forget, even through these pummeling times, we will find a way and rise again.
Print Issue: Who’s Funding It? | May 10, 2024
As anti-Israel demonstrators take over college campuses, an exclusive investigation into who’s behind it and where the money is coming from.
Magen Am Expands: Strengthening Jewish Community Security in Orange County
The recent surge in antisemitism has driven a sharp rise in demand for Magen Am services.
Hollywood
Spielberg Says Antisemitism Is “No Longer Lurking, But Standing Proud” Like 1930s Germany
Young Actress Juju Brener on Her “Hocus Pocus 2” Role
Behind the Scenes of “Jeopardy!” with Mayim Bialik
Podcasts
Chef Katie Chin: Heritage, Chinese Cooking and Chocolate-Raspberry Wontons
Chico Menashe: Asif: Culinary Institute of Israel, Cooking with Chutzpah and The Open Kitchen Project
More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.