Sukkot – Safety in Joy

 

Over the next week and a half, we leave the comfort and security of our homes and move into a small, fragile structure — the sukkah.

 

At first glance, it seems like a strange way to celebrate. Why would we commemorate one of the most fundamental experiences of Jewish history by sitting in a hut? And why does Sukkot come immediately after the Yamim Nora’im, after the intensity of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?

The Vilna Gaon gives us a beautiful answer.

 

The sukkah reminds us of the Clouds of Glory — the Ananei Hakavod — which surrounded and protected the Jewish people as they travelled through the wilderness.

But that protection was not always there.

 

After the sin of the Golden Calf, the Jewish people lost the merit of that Divine protection. There was a rupture in the relationship between Hashem and His people.

 

And then came Yom Kippur.

 

Moshe descended from Mount Sinai with the second set of Luchot. The Jewish people had been forgiven. Their relationship with Hashem had been restored. And then, immediately afterwards, Hashem commanded them to build the Mishkan — the Sanctuary — a physical place where His Presence could once again dwell among them. Sukkot is the celebration of that moment. After the fear, the uncertainty and the process of repentance, we are told: you are still loved, you are still protected, and Hashem’s Presence is still with you. That is why Sukkot is called Zman Simchateinu — the Time of our Rejoicing.

 

Our joy is not simply because we are celebrating a festival. It is the joy that comes from knowing that we are not alone.

 

In our homes, we feel secure. We have walls, locks, technology and all the things that give us a sense of control. But when we sit in the sukkah, we deliberately make ourselves vulnerable. The sukkah reminds us that ultimately, our security does not come from the walls around us. It comes from the One above us. Ultimately, our protection comes from Hashem.

 

The sukkah is therefore not a symbol of insecurity. It teaches us that we can sit in a fragile structure, look up at the sky, and still feel safe.

 

Wishing the entire community a Chag Sameach — a Sukkot filled with joy, inspiration, peace and the warmth of Hashem’s Presence.

 

 

Rabbi Ryan & Nicky Goldstein

Announcements |Sukkot |

The Executive and Committee wish you Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach.

Haftorah on Sukkot Day 1 to be read by Meyer Rabinowitz

Rabbi’s shiur on Sukkot Day 1 “The Sukkah’s Loving Embrace”

Rabbi’s shiur on Sukkot Day 2 “Sukkot is at the wrong time of the year?!”

A hearty Mazal Tov to Rav Aron and Dina Goldfein and family on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Baruch which took place on Thursday 24 September in Johannesburg. Mazal Tov to Grandmother Avis Shur, aunts and uncles Illana and Amnon Melzer, Lisa Ruch and Daniel Berkowitz and family.

A hearty Mazal Tov to parents Bradley and Cindy Moritz and family on the engagement of Melissa Moritz to Daniel Namatinia, son to Michael and Irit Namatinia in Israel. Mazal Tov to Grandparents Cus and Irma Kesler and family.

We wish Long Life to Michael and Leora Sternberg, Tanya Sternberg, Zoe, Aaron and Liv, Lauren and William Lee and the whole family on the passing of Marc Sternberg this past week. We wish the family strength, comfort and may his Neshama have an Aliyah. May they all be comforted amongst the Mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

We wish Long Life to Sarit Swisa on consecration of her late mother, Penny Swisa which took place on Thursday 24 September in Johannesburg. May the memories of her dear Mother always be a blessing.

Please note Shacharit on Sunday 27 September is at a start time of 08:45.

Please note Shacharit for Chol HaMoed Monday – Friday is at 06:30.

Dream Team and Junie Punie over the Yamim Noraim. Please see posters.

We thank our Bracha ladies and our Eyes and Ears team.

Upcoming Events and Activities:

Simchat Beit HaShoeva, Wednesday 30 September 2026 in the Morasha Sukkah at 18:45

Simchat Torah Dinner – Build a Burger. Please RSVP. See poster. See price changes.

“Junie Punie” Children’s service (ages 1-6) takes place at 10h30 over the Yamim Noraim.

“Dream Team Activities” Older kids and early teens activities are from 10:30 am over the Yamim Noraim.

Morasha Wi-Fi code is “Morasha Guest”, and the password is We@rehome31

Parashat Sukkot	Artscroll	Steinsaltz	Living Torah	Hirsch
Torah	680	681	618	474
Maftir	894	899	818	624
Haftarah Day 1	1241	–	1342	945
Haftarah Day 2	1242	–	1346	947

Erev Sukkot/ Shabbat Friday 25 September
Earliest Candle Lighting Light a 24 hr Candle	17:28
Latest Candle Lighting Light a 24 hr Candle	18:27
Mincha and Maariv	18:15
Sukkot Day 1 / Shabbat Saturday 26 September
Shacharit	08:45
Latest Time for Shema	09:34
Mincha, Seudah followed by Maariv	17:30
Sukkot Night 2
Candle Lighting light from a pre-existing flame not before	19:19
Sukkot Day 2 Sunday 27 September
Shacharit	08:45
Latest Time for Shema	09:34
Mincha followed by Maariv	18:15
Yom Tov Ends	19:20

 

Day	Time	Topic	Speaker	Place
Friday Night	Drasha	Drasha	Rabbi Ryan Goldstein	Shul
Shabbat/ Sukkot Day 1	Morning	The Sukkah’s Loving Embrace	Rabbi Ryan Goldstein	Sukkah
Shabbat/ Sukkot Day 1	Mincha/Seuda	TBA	Rabbi Ryan Goldstein	Sukkah
Sukkot Day 2/ Saturday night	Drasha	Drasha	Rabbi Ryan Goldstein	Shul
Sukkot Day 2	Morning	Sukkot is at the wrong time of the year?!	Rabbi Ryan Goldstein	Sukkah
Monday- Friday	After Shacharit	25/30 Minute Parsha	Rabbi Ryan Goldstein	Shul
Monday- Friday	Mincha/Maariv	Vort	Rabbi Ryan Goldstein	Shul

 

Please be so kind as to return siddurim, chumashim and library books to our bookshelves.

Please take note: The Yahrzeit begins the evening before the date listed below

Name	Yahrzeit for	Date
Tilly Wolman	Father	Friday 25 September
David Puterman	Grandmother	Friday 25 September
Naomi Gelb	Husband	Monday 28 September
Greg Gelb	Father	Monday 28 September
Shirley Karon	Son	Monday 28 September
Andrea Fialkov	Mother	Monday 28 September
Meyer Rabinsowitz	Mother	Monday 28 September
Ian Mosselson	Grandfather	Tuesday 29 September
David Yach	Father	Tuesday 29 September
Mark Gawronsky	Father	Wednesday 30 September
Peta Feldman	Brother	Wednesday 30 September
Jacqui Richards	Husband	Wednesday 30 September
Silvie Richards	Father	Wednesday 30 September
Abigail Richards	Father	Wednesday 30 September
Gerald Kark	Friend	Thursday 01 October
Rhea Russon	Father	Thursday 01 October

Anniversaries
Michael and Leora Sternberg	Thursday 01 Oct
Birthdays
Joan Fisher	Saturday 26 Sept
Benjamin Weinstein	Saturday 26 Sept
Cecilia Kark	Sunday 27 Sept
Lorraine Rabinowitz	Sunday 27 Sept
Avis Shur	Sunday 27 Sept
Ronen Cohen	Wednesday 30 Sept
Matthew Labe	Thursday 01 Oct
Evan Musikanth	Thursday 01 Oct
Zevi Schulman	Thursday 01 Oct