Sukkot: A Time to Breathe

There’s something special about sitting in the Sukkah.

The weeks leading up to Sukkot are some of the most intense of the year — the spiritual weight of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the rush to build the Sukkah, to get the Lulav and Etrog, to prepare for guests and meals. It’s beautiful and meaningful… but it’s also a lot.

And then, finally, Sukkot arrives.

I sit down in the Sukkah with a cup of tea and a piece of cake. I make the blessing, lean back, and breathe. The gentle rustle of the schach above me, the light streaming through the leaves — it’s the perfect space to exhale after the whirlwind of the past month.

In that quiet, something powerful happens. I begin to reflect.

How quickly time has passed.

What were the highlights of this past year?

What do I have to look forward to in the new one?

How much has changed in the last decade?

And where am I heading next?

The Sukkah, in its simplicity, becomes a sanctuary of thought. It invites gratitude for everything that has unfolded and hope for what’s yet to come.

This is the gift of Sukkot: a moment to pause, reflect, and realign.

May we all find time to sit in our Sukkah — To breathe deeply, to be grateful, and to dream about the year ahead.

Chag Sameach

Facing Fear with Strength

In this week’s parsha, Vayelech, Moshe tells the Jewish people: “Be strong and courageous, do not fear and do not tremble, for Hashem your G-d goes with you.”

Fear is one of the greatest barriers to personal growth. It often isn’t the external challenge holding us back—it’s our own hesitation, self-doubt, and reluctance to step forward. As Franklin D. Roosevelt famously put it: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Most of what we truly desire lies just beyond the walls of our fears. Whether it’s starting a new venture, having a difficult conversation, or making a life change—we need to push past that initial resistance. The size of the step doesn’t matter as much as the direction. Consistent movement forward is what matters.

Warren Buffet once said: “It’s not so important how fast you row the boat; it’s which boat you choose to row.” Progress isn’t about frantic activity but about courageously choosing the right direction, then taking steady steps toward it.

The shofar we blow on Rosh Hashana is a wake-up call. It’s not just a sound—it’s a reminder that we cannot stay complacent. Each blast tells us: break free from your comfort zone, shake off routine, and leap forward into the unknown with courage and faith.

No one says you should be reckless — but you must be courageous. The Talmud in Ethics of Our Fathers teaches: “Who is wise? One who sees what will be born.” In other words, wisdom is the ability to anticipate the consequences of our actions and prepare for them. Life requires us to take risks, but calculated ones, grounded in foresight and responsibility.

Of course, we ask Hashem to provide the resources, opportunities, and strength to succeed. But we must take the first step. The Shulchan Aruch, the great code of Jewish law, begins with a call to action: “Be strong like a lion.” Start the day with courage and determination.

The message of Vayelech is clear: don’t let fear dictate your limits. Move forward with strength and faith. Prepare yourself and your children for tomorrow. And above all, commit to making yourself—and the world around you—better than yesterday.

Standing Together: The Power of Collective Growth

This week’s parsha, Nitzavim, opens with a striking image:

“You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem your G-d—your leaders, your tribes, your elders, your children, your men, your women, the stranger in your camp, your woodchoppers, and your water drawers.”

The Torah is making a powerful point: every person matters. Every role, whether public or hidden, prestigious or humble, is essential in the grand design of society.

We sometimes assume that real impact comes only from leadership positions—political leaders, CEOs, rabbis, or innovators. Yet the Torah reminds us that the woodchopper and water drawer stand alongside the leaders. Each one contributes, each one is significant.

Psychologist Viktor Frankl, in his classic Man’s Search for Meaning, argued that human beings can endure almost anything if they find purpose in their lives. Meaning doesn’t come only from grand achievements—it comes from recognizing the value of the role we play, no matter how small it may appear.

Stephen Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, echoes this idea: fulfillment comes from clarity about our roles and responsibilities, and then striving to live them out with integrity and purpose.

Of course, ambition is important. We should always strive to grow, to learn, and to improve ourselves. But growth doesn’t mean everyone must be a leader. Some are drawn to science, others to teaching, others to art, business, or service. What matters is not the title of the role, but the meaning we bring to it.

When we see our work as part of a bigger picture—contributing to our families, our communities, and ultimately humanity—we discover deeper fulfillment.

There’s a proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same is true for society. Communities only thrive when each person fulfills their unique role. Just as a free market economy has lifted millions out of poverty through countless individuals playing their part, so too does society flourish when everyone contributes in their own way.

No one role is sufficient on its own—but together, we create exponential growth.

This week, take a moment to reflect:

• What role am I playing in my community, my family, or my workplace?

• How can I bring more meaning into that role?

• In what way can I support others so that, collectively, we all stand stronger?

  
  

Because at the end of the day, as the Torah reminds us: we are all standing together.

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About the author:

Elimelech Levy is a Rabbi and Coach based in Sydney, Australia, where he runs Chabad Youth NSW — a youth organisation dedicated to providing Jewish enrichment that is educational, fun, social, and affordable. Elimelech received his MBA from Macquarie University in 2021 and went on to become a Results Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), helping people take control of their lives through establishing goals and working towards them.

In 2023, he founded the Knei Lecha Chover program, which connects Rabbis worldwide and equips them with tools to coach each other regularly — enabling access to mentorship and support without the significant costs of professional coaching.

Beyond his work in education and coaching, Elimelech is also passionate about property development, seeing it as a practical avenue to create value, stability, and opportunities that align with his broader vision of growth and contribution.

He can be reached via his website elilevy.com.au