The Sabbath arrives and we pause. Our busy lives quiet and we pray for a sukkat shalom—a shelter of peace to be spread over each and every one.

The concept of a sukkah is ancient, yet remains a powerful symbol, as we pray for peace and think about community. Sukkot were simple shelters open to the sky and to others. They were built in the wilderness by a people who for generations were slaves and were now free. With little more than the hope of a better life to help carry them on their journey, our people knew, even then, that to truly be free, all people must be free, and to truly find peace, the shelter of peace must extend to everyone.