Sweet Sukkot

I realized quite late that we had not made arrangements to get schach for the shul’s sukkah. I made an emergency call to Elton and Doris W. whose family connection to the sugarcane growing country around Livonia have served us well in the past. Elton showed up the next day with a pick-up full of sugarcane for the sukkah. Thanks to him, our sukkah will be authentically Louisianan. The cane gives the sukkah a uniquely tropical feel. It seems right to fulfill the mitzvah of rejoicing in the sukkah with the gifts of this particular land.

Elton also came with a gift: A huge bag of raw sugar right off the conveyor belt at the mill. It filled my office with a vanilla like smell. The taste was rich and syrupy. It was a very kind and appropriate gift for this time of year when we are bound to notice the Creation and celebrate its goodness.

Taste and know that the Lord is sweet.