The power of the holiday of Sukkot comes primarily from the physical structure of the Sukkah. A temporary dwelling, deliberately built with a roof that lets in light and rain, it’s purpose is to remind us of the inherent fragility of our lives. It is a reminder that the things we have are less important than the connections we make.
So how do we continue to remember this after Sukkot ends? Surrounded by all of out “stuff” how do we remain mindful that it is not really ours at all.
We can begin by looking to examples; to those whose things did not get in their way. A story is told of Moses Montefiore, the wealthy British 19th century Jewish philanthropist and supporter of the early settlement movement in Israel.
Queen Victoria once asked him, “How much wealth do you have? How much do you own?” Sir Moses Montefiore her it would take him a few days to do some accounting; afterwards he would be able to reply. When Sir Moses told her the amount of his wealth, she became upset, saying, “You are insulting me. Everyone knows that you have much more.” Sir Moses explained that he considered as his wealth whatever money he gave away to tzedakah. Anything else that he had was only temporary and subject to confiscation or loss.
As we move back to our permanent homes, and as we leave this High Holyday season behind, we must remember that all the things we accumulate are not fully ours. They are only tools which we borrow as we work to build a better, more connected world.