Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Earlier in the holiday, you have heard about Ushpizin, the exalted guests we invite into our Sukkah. The great shepherds of our faith consist of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David.

One need not be egalitarian to include corresponding female shepherds of our faith. Already in classical Kabbalistic literature, we find various listings of famous women to be invited into our Sukkah. Some of the recorded names include our matriarchs - Sara, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah along with such names as Miriam, Ruth, Devorah, Avigail, and others.

The notion of inviting guests is not limited to the here and now of physical guests, but also spiritual guests and heroes of our tradition. The number is not limited.

Who else might you invite as spiritual exalted guests to your Sukkah? Relatives of blessed memories? Sports or performance celebrities? Other Jewish heroes of history - and who would they be?

What attributes are you considering in the guests you would invite into your Sukkah? May I suggest that the attributes you are considering should become your own, and be with you all year long?

Chag Sameach!

Rabbi Howard Morrison