1 Likro et Hahallel
2 La'asot Ma'akeh
3 Hanoon Hamarbeh L'sloah
4 Al Nitilat Yadayim
5 Melekh Ohev Tzedakah U'mishpat
6 Dayan Ha'emeth
7 Leshev Ba'Sukkah
8 Lasok b'divrei Torah
9 Kiddush levana
10 Asher yatzar
11 Borei Pri Ha'eitz
12 HaMotzi
13 SheHakol Nihiyeh B'dvaro
14 Shehechiyanu
15 Lihitattef Batzitzit
16 Likboah Mezuzah
17 L'hadlik ner shel hannukah
18 She'asah nisim lavoteinu byamim hahem bazman hazeh
19 HaGomel L'Chayavim tovot, shegimalani kol tov
20 Malbish Arumim
21 L'hadlik ner shel Shabbat
22 Borei pri Hagafen
23 Hazan et HaKol
24 L'havchin bein yom u'vein layla
25 lhanot bahem b'nai adam.
26 borei minei mizonot
27 HaMachazir neshamot lifgarim matim
28 l'hachniso b'brito shel avraham avinu
29 al mikra megillah
30 shomeah tephillah
31 noten hatorah
32 sh'asani b'tzalmo
33 al biur hametz
34 al sefirat ha'omer
35 et amo yisrael bashalom.
36 Haham HaRazim
37 haolam Borei Minei Bisamim
38 matir asurim
39 shepratani meansho shel zeh
40 zokeif kifufim
41 HaBocher  b'amo yisrael b'ahava
42 hamavdil bein kodesh lechol
43 borei meorei haeish
44 magen avraham
45 shover oyvim umachnea zaydim
46 Mikadeish HaShabbat
47 boreh pri ha'adamah
48 al ha'aretz v'al hamazon
49 michayei HaMaitim
50 yotzer ha'adam
51 boneh berachamav yerushalayim
52 she'asani kirtzono

Bracha #7

This blessing can be found on page 746 of Siddur Sim Shalom.

This blessing is recited each time you sit in the Sukkah either for eating or for study.

In the Talmud a dispute arose among the rabbis regarding the nature of those Sukkot. Rabbi Akiva believed them to be genuine booths, which our ancestors built for shelter. But Rabbi Eliezer disagreed. He taught that the Sukkot to which the Torah refers weren't actual booths constructed by human hands. They were the miraculous ananei hakavod, the clouds of glory that accompanied and protected the Israelites in the wilderness. Those clouds were a majestic manifestation of God's sheltering presence, guiding and sustaining our ancestors, providing them with the strength to persevere.

It always struck me as odd that there was no bracha for the building of a Sukkah. Clearly, there is a blessing for sitting in the Sukkah. In fact, there is a requirement to eat and to live within the Sukkah for the seven days of the holiday. Yet there is no requirement to build one. So for those who are unable to build one in their yards or terraces, they can utilize either a neighbor's Sukkah or a communal one that may be set up by a local Jewish institution.

This piece of Talmud explains the phenomenon further. If we take seriously the comment by Rabbi Eliezer, we know it is not within our power to build the protective structures that only God can provide. There are those who believe they build the best Sukkah. Some can build structures that are so sturdy that they cannot be knocked down, and many could remain standing throughout the year. We believe that is true in our lives as well.

We think we can insulate ourselves from the outside world. We think we can insure ourselves against fraud, fire, theft and accident. But we understand those measures are only minimal effective in making us whole. This bracha reminds us that all is in the hands of God, and that true joy comes from residing with God. We can create placing to go in which we feel more secure, but we must ultimately recognize that real satisfaction comes from being close to God, sheltered in God's embrace.

The resolution of the difference of opinion in the Talmud cited above, is that we must continue to build the buildings that force us to recognize both how strong we are while we are drawn toward God in a relationship in which we find ultimate protection. In the final sentence of one of the great prayers we offer every evening, Hashkeveinu, we say, "U'fros aleinu sukkat shelomecha, Spread over us the Sukkah, the tent of Your peace." May this new year give us a sense of security and peace the likes of which we can only enjoy in the presence of the Almighty.

Copyright © 2001 Rabbi Yohanan Stein. All rights reserved. 

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