Fall 2025 - Book - Page 3
RABBI
MICHAEL
MISHKIN
Publicizing the Courage of the Maccabees
Shalom Friends,
I have been very fortunate to celebrate all of the Jewish holidays in Jerusalem. On Sukkot, it’s wonderful to see all of the
Sukkahs on people’s balconies, and outside nearly every restaurant. Another great Sukkot memory took place outside of
Jerusalem. During Chol HaMoed, The Intermediate Days, I did a three-day Yam l’Yam (Sea to Sea) hike. I started at the
Mediterranean and hiked to the Sea of Galilee. Although I did not pack my lulav and etrog – I was carrying everything else
– my tent, food, and other supplies. However, there were several other people on the hike who did also bring their lulavs
and etrogs. So we would wake up at our campsite, make breakfast, and then shake the lulav and etrog. Purim in Israel is
great fun. It’s especially exciting to be in the shuk (the outdoor market) before the holiday, seeing the vendors sell candy,
hamantaschen, groggers, and costumes. I’ve also had the pleasure of having several Passover seders in Jerusalem. Since
we always end the seder with l’Shanah ha’ba’ah b’Yerushalayim –
