Unlocking the Mystery of Sukkot through the Book of Ecclesiastes

According to the book of Leviticus, the purpose of the festival of Sukkot—which began last Friday evening—is, “That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths [sukkot], when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks observed that this straightforward explanation for what might seem like a simple harvest festival raises a host of questions. Why aren’t these booths mentioned elsewhere in the Bible? Why is this aspect of the Exodus celebrated at this time of year? Why did Solomon merge Sukkot with a festival for the dedication of the Temple? To answer these questions and many others, Sacks, in a 2016 lecture, turned to the book of Ecclesiastes, which many Jewish communities read in synagogue on the Sabbath that falls during the holiday. (Video, 53 minutes.)

Read more at The Rabbi Sacks Legacy

More about: Ecclesiastes, Jonathan Sacks, Judaism, Sukkot

Expand Gaza into Sinai

Feb. 11 2025

Calling the proposal to depopulate Gaza completely (if temporarily) “unworkable,” Peter Berkowitz makes the case for a similar, but more feasible, plan:

The United States along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE should persuade Egypt by means of generous financial inducements to open the sparsely populated ten-to-fifteen miles of Sinai adjacent to Gaza to Palestinians seeking a fresh start and better life. Egypt would not absorb Gazans and make them citizens but rather move Gaza’s border . . . westward into Sinai. Fences would be erected along the new border. The Israel Defense Force would maintain border security on the Gaza-extension side, Egyptian forces on the other. Egypt might lease the land to the Palestinians for 75 years.

The Sinai option does not involve forced transfer of civilian populations, which the international laws of war bar. As the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other partners build temporary dwellings and then apartment buildings and towns, they would provide bus service to the Gaza-extension. Palestinian families that choose to make the short trip would receive a key to a new residence and, say, $10,000.

The Sinai option is flawed. . . . Then again, all conventional options for rehabilitating and governing Gaza are terrible.

Read more at RealClear Politics

More about: Donald Trump, Egypt, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula