Opening the Door

In a few days we launch a new project, establishing temporary housing for those who live in permanent housing.
This bit of play acting is commendable of course; learning the lessons of fragility useful in acquiring greater appreciation for all we have. But, somehow I'd hope that we would invest our time building permanent housing for those living in temporary shelters.
What, however, I do find attractive is the open door policy of our thatched booths.
We invite our ancestors and all those who we wish were there with us.
Sometimes we play the game of asking guests to suggest who they would invite, if they could, from any place in time in history, or what fictional character would make their day if they were sitting shoulder to shoulder in our sukkah.
some years we are joined by Einstein and Spinoza, other years by Emma Bovary and Odysseus. Superman makes an appearance as does Wonder Woman.
Mostly we invite projections of ourselves to sit beside or across from us. We engage them in conversation and hope that we acquitted ourselves well.
We hope that as we schep nakhas from them they will schep nakhas from us.

Our temporary huts provide fleeting celebrations. This, too, is a reminder of the fragility of our lives