By Rabbi Baruch Hecht

To our wonderful Jewish community here in DFW,

I would like to wish you a happy and healthy Sukkot. The sukkah, taking the lulav and etrog — indeed the entire holiday — is all about unity and joy. Unity with our community and unity between us and G-d.

We focus on two different elements of unity in this holiday. The sukkah, as our sages tell us, is a fitting place for any and all Jews to sit together. This teaches us the value of unity regardless of what we each bring individually.

The lulav and etrog, on the other hand, stress the value of looking at each person and the qualities that they have. The lulav represents the Torah scholar; the etrog, the scholar and activist; the myrtle represents the activist; and the willow seems to bring nothing at all to the equation with neither a good scent nor taste. Yet that is exactly the point. We celebrate the value not just of those with obvious talents, but the very fact that this person is here and part of our people is worthy of celebration.

This is what brings us true joy. Happiness simply for happiness’ sake. This is why water was a main feature in the services of Sukkot in the days of the Beit Hamikdash. No taste, no special qualities, just H2O, which represents the soul at its essence.

The word for joy, simcha, is connected to the word machshava, which means thought. Happiness is a choice we can make; it doesn’t just happen. When we make a conscious effort to be happy, we can achieve that happiness by adjusting the way we think.

Put it all together and you have the holiday of Sukkot.

May we take this to heart and focus on the unity of our people, bringing us all together so that we can celebrate in the grandest sukkah of all — in Jerusalem with the final redemption, Amen!

Rabbi Baruch Hecht serves Chabad Park Cities.