My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) -- Chol Chamoed Sukkot
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on October 16, 2008 | Tags: Sukkot, Sukkot
We're a Parshah away from concluding the Torah but we take a break from the normal schedule this Shabbat for Chol Hamoed Sukkot. Instead we read parts of chapters 33 and 34 of the book of Exodus. Why was this selected for our Shabbat reading? Part of the reason are two verses known as the "Thirteen Attributes of God" in which we read that God is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness.. forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin.." (Exod. 34:6-7). If that sounds familiar, it should. It's part of the Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur liturgy, and is part of the Festival service as well. A little further on Moses declares to God, "Pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your own." (34:9). We're reminded that our concern with repentance - with "teshuvah" - is not just for the High Holidays, but is a year round concern.. It's never too late OR too early to start anew.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
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