With the official start of fall, and the celebration of Sukkot, I've committed to walking with more intention. Not just paying attention to what's around me, the slowly changing leaves, the increasingly bustling nature of the neighborhood and the energy that rises up in Central Park in the weeks leading up to the NYC Marathon. This year, I'm feeling called to notice how I walk, the firmness of my step and the paths I take to go from place to place. This is natural as we celebrate Sukkot and acknowledge the fragility of the world and ourselves while committing to be joyful. The Torah tells
us, v'samahta b'hagekha....v'hayita akh sameah/you shall rejoice in your festival....and you shall be filled with joy (Deut. 16:14,15). We might wonder how the Torah mandates joy (as it mandates love in the Sh'ma). This proclamation reminds us to choose joy, especially in uncertain times and places. As part of our Sukkot celebration, we offer hoshanot, calling on Gd to save us, the last stages of our being sealed into the book of living for the new year. Traditionally, we walk in circles, just like we dance in circles on other festive occasions (think, hora!). Here, the pace and energy is up to us. How we take our steps, whether we even take a step is in our hands.
I invite you to listen HERE as an introduction to the practice of walking with intention, a reminder to notice with kindness the choices you make - to stop, to move, to turn and return again.
May your feet take you to places of growth and blessing this year and may the shoes you wear invite you to joy.
Shabbat Shalom and Mo'adim l'Simhah, rg
Congregation Habonim 103 West End Ave New York, NY 10023
