I recently had the honor of speaking to a group of seminary girls in Venice, sharing how the lessons of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot can serve as a powerful framework for personal development. (On Sukkot, Jewish people around the world celebrate G-d’s protection after their redemption from slavery in Egypt until they arrived in the Land of Israel over 3,300 years ago. The temporary dwelling of the “Sukkah” (booth) commemorates G-d’s protection during the 40 year journey through the desert. The plural of Sukkah is Sukkot). These girls, standing at the crossroads of adolescence and adulthood, were so eager to learn how our rich Jewish traditions offer practical guidance for life’s challenges and transitions.
As a speaker, I’ve been fortunate to present to schools, organizations and at events around the world, offering insights on Jewish life, personal growth and Torah wisdom. If you’re looking to create a meaningful and inspiring event, I would love to bring this experience to your city and community. Whether it’s for schools, shuls or organizations, let’s make something special together!
To book a talk or discuss event possibilities, feel free to reach out. I can’t wait to connect with you!
Shalom and welcome to Venice!
I’m so excited to have you here in this beautiful city, and it’s especially meaningful to gather during Sukkot. It’s a holiday that offers so many lessons for your stage of life. You are at a pivotal moment, standing between the end of your teenage years and the beginning of adulthood. It’s an exciting time, full of possibility, but also filled with uncertainty and challenges. Today, I want to share how Sukkot is not just a holiday we celebrate, but a powerful framework for personal growth. I want to give you something that can help guide you as you step into this next phase of life.
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1. Resilience: Life’s Temporary Structures
The sukkah is a temporary structure. It’s not built to last forever. The walls may shake when the wind blows, and rain might come through the schach. But that’s part of its beauty! It’s meant to remind us that life, too, is full of transitions, uncertainties and temporary moments.
Right now, you might feel this in your own life. You’ve just finished school, you’re studying in seminary, and soon you’ll be making decisions about your future. There re so many questions and exciting things to wonder about: what life path to take, where to live, how to balance personal dreams with your responsibilities as a Jewish woman. It can feel overwhelming, right?
But here’s the lesson from the sukkah: resilience. The sukkah teaches us that it’s okay if everything around us feels temporary or uncertain. What matters is how we show up inside of it. Can we stay rooted in who we are, even when the world feels shaky? Can we embrace the transitions without losing our sense of self?
Practical Application:
The next time you face uncertainty, whether it’s about a life decision, a relationship or your future plans, remember the sukkah. It’s okay if the walls around you feel unstable. Trust in your core values. Build your inner strength, knowing that you are resilient and can withstand the storms.
2. Trust: Dwelling in Divine Protection
Sukkot is called “Z’man Simchateinu,” the time of our joy. But why joy? We’re sitting outside in a temporary hut, exposed to the elements. You may ask, what’s so joyous about that? The joy comes from our trust in G-d. By leaving our permanent homes to spend time in a sukkah, we acknowledge that it’s not walls or roofs that protect us. It’s Hashem!
At your age, you’re likely grappling with trust in different forms. Trust in yourself. Do you believe you can succeed in your personal and professional goals? Trust in others. How do you navigate friendships, relationships and the inevitable disappointments that come with them? And most importantly, trust in G-d. How do you develop a sense of calm, knowing that there’s a greater plan for you, even when things don’t go as expected?
The Sukkah reminds us to surrender some control. It is a reminder to trust that G-d’s protection is with us, even in uncertain times. If we can internalize this trust, we unlock a sense of inner peace that nothing external can shake.
Practical Application:
As you face the challenges ahead, especially in this time of decision-making and future-planning, lean into trust. If something doesn’t go according to plan, remind yourself that G-d has a bigger plan for you. When a door closes, know that another is waiting to open. Develop the ability to say, “I trust that where I am is exactly where I need to be.”
Acqua Alta (high water) in GAM GAM Kosher Restaurant’s sukkah during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
3. Gratitude: Finding Joy in Simplicity
One of the most beautiful aspects of Sukkot is the simplicity of it all. We sit in a basic structure, and yet we are called to be joyous. This is a crucial lesson for your stage in life, especially in a world that often tells you that joy comes from external achievements. Whether it’s academic success, material wealth, or social status, remember what really counts.
Gratitude is the antidote to this. The sukkah teaches us to find joy in the basics.
In the simple fact that we are alive, we are connected to our Jewish heritage and we have the opportunity to make a difference in the world.
At this time in your life, you are likely setting big goals for yourself. Maybe you want to pursue higher education, find your path in the world or start thinking about building a family. These are all amazing aspirations. But don’t forget to pause and be grateful for what you have right now. Just look at the learning you’re gaining in seminary, the friendships you’ve already built, the Torah you’re studying and the experiences that have shaped you.
Practical Application:
Start a daily gratitude practice, even if it’s just for 30 seconds each morning. Write down or mentally list three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. This will shift your mindset from focusing on what you lack to appreciating what you already have.
4. Achieving Your Goals: Balancing Action with Faith
Sukkot teaches us a balance between action and faith. We are required to build the sukkah. It takes effort, intention and physical action. But after we’ve built it, we have to rely on G-d for protection. This balance is key as you move into adulthood.
You have big goals, and you should pursue them with passion and dedication. But don’t forget that after you’ve done your part, you have to let go and trust that the rest is in G-d’s hands.
Practical Application:
As you plan your future, don’t be afraid to dream big and have high aspirations. Pursue your goals with intention and effort, and know that G-d wants you to succeed. But you have to make the “keli” (Hebrew for vessel) to catch the blessings. If you can balance action with faith, you’ll find that your journey is not only successful but also deeply fulfilling.
5. Building Community: The Power of the Four Species
On Sukkot, we shake the lulav and etrog, which represent the unity of the Jewish people. We have so many tourists passing through our Chabad House in Venice. We already helped hundreds of people shake lulav and etrog. After (helping the guest with) saying the blessing, I say, “Now bring the lulav and etrog together, the way the Jews should all be together, united as one.” Then you wave them in all the directions, reminding us of G-d’s omnipresence,
The four species symbolize different types of Jews. There are those who excel in Torah knowledge, those who focus on good deeds and everyone in between. Together, they create a complete community.
You are part of something bigger than yourself. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, whether you love learning Torah or doing mitzvahs, your unique contributions matter to the whole. And as you move forward in life, remember that building meaningful relationships and community is as important as achieving personal success.
Practical Application:
As you build your future, surround yourself with people who inspire and support you. You don’t have to do it all alone. It’s important to have a mashpia (a spiritual mentor). Find a community where you can grow both spiritually and personally, and don’t be afraid to lean on others for support.
Let’s Sum it Up: Taking Sukkot’s Lessons Forward
As we sit in the sukkah, we are reminded of life’s fragility, but also of its beauty. We are reminded to trust in G-d’s protection, to find joy in the simple things and to pursue our goals with both effort and emunah (faith). Just as the [Chabad Lubavitcher] Rebbe reminds us to unpack our spiritual suitcases from the Jewish month of Tishrei throughout the year, embracing Sukkot for personal development holds within it lessons that you can use far beyond Sukkot.
As you step into this exciting new chapter of your life, remember that the strength you need is already within you. The resilience to face uncertainty, the trust in G-d’s plan, the gratitude for what you have and the community that surrounds you, are the tools that will help you achieve your goals while staying true to your Jewish values.
I wish you all the best as you continue to grow, learn and make a meaningful impact on the world. May the lessons of Sukkot inspire and guide you in everything you do. Gut Yuntif, Chag Sameach!