Key Takeaways:
– Anti-Semitism has seen a drastic rise in the U.S., with associated incidents increasing since a massacre by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023.
– Despite threats, attacks, and insults, the Jewish community maintains a firm belief in divine protection, reinforced by traditions such as the holiday of Sukkot.
– The Sukkah, a temporary structure central to the celebration of Sukkot, symbolizes the Jewish belief in ultimate security not stemming from fortresses, but divine intervention.
– Jewish resilience is celebrated in Sukkot, offering solace and security amid concerns about hostility fuelled by anti-Semitism.
Anti-Semitism: A Rising Concern
Anti-Semitic sentiments have been growing in the United States, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting more than 10,000 related incidents since October. This surge has caused apprehension among the Jewish community, who have been victims of numerous violent attacks throughout the years. The insidious nature of these events reflects patterns of hatred, escalating from verbal insults to physical violence.
Despite the hostility, many in the Jewish community are unyielding in their faith. Many still believe that their nation does not foster substantial streams of anti-Semitism. However, such optimism has been tested due to the rise in hate crimes, particularly those occurring in the aftermath of Hamas’ lethal attack on Israeli civilians.
Finding Security Amid Vulnerability
In the face of fear and danger, Jewish tradition offers solace and strength, particularly through the celebration of Sukkot. This annual event features the building of Sukkah, a temporary structure symbolizing divine protection. The holiday serves as a reassurance of security in the face of external threats. In these structures made from organic materials, Jewish people are reminded of the divine “clouds of glory” that protected their ancestors as they wandered the desert after their departure from Egypt.
A Yiddish poem often sung during Sukkot offers inspiration and strength, reflecting the community’s resilience in the face of adversity. This poem tells the story of a father comforting his anxious daughter during a storm, using their sukkah as a metaphor for the enduring existence of the Jewish community. Though storms may rage outside, the “little sukkah remains standing upright.”
The Resilience of the Jewish Community
Despite numerous instances of hatred and violence, Jews across generations have demonstrated an enduring spirit of unity and resilience. Their belief in divine protection, reinforced through traditions like the Sukkot celebration, underlines this sense of hope amid adversity. This belief extends to the notion that security is not found in physical fortresses, but from divine intervention.
The celebration of Sukkot serves as a reaffirmation of faith overcoming fear—an antidote to anti-Semitism. Temporarily living in a sukkah, which by definition is vulnerable to external factors, is regarded as a symbolic act demonstrating trust and reliance on divine protection.
Commemorating Sukkot is akin to celebrating the resilience of Jewish people, reaffirming their faith and strength in the face of fears and threats. Despite anti-Semitic winds that may howl around them, they continue to believe in divine providence, remaining steadfastly rooted in their faith.
In Enduring, We Stand
Despite the surge in anti-Semitic incidents, the Jewish community continues to find strength in tradition and faith. The practice of Sukkot serves as a reinforced symbol of faith, resilience, and reliance on divine intervention for protection and security. While threats and violence may tragically continue, the Jewish community’s ability to endure and rally together continues to act as one of its greatest defenses against such hostility.