The Joy Within

The useful part

Sukkot asks us to receive the harvest that has actually come in—not the one we imagined or wished for. You shall rejoice in your festival, with your son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow in your communities. In the fall, the grape harvest comes in, along with olives, pomegranates and figs.

How it works

• However it turns out—whether the harvest is abundant or disappointing—the Torah commands us: "Rejoice in your festival … and have nothing but joy." That is what strikes me most.
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• The grains reaped in the spring and early summer were dried, and then the threshing began—a labor-intensive process our ancestors understood well.
• Moisture interferes with the process, so threshing and winnowing were done during the dry summer months, when rain was unlikely.

What to take from it

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Example or evidence

• A Bisl Sukkot ~ Don't Be Afraid, Go Outside September 24, 2026 The sukkah reminds us to go out into the world, especially when the comforts of insularity beckon us closer—to explore paths we have yet to...
• Even though I grew up in Nebraska, we were not farmers, and I had no firsthand experience harvesting wheat or barley.
• Later, I lived in the Bay Area for eleven years and visited Napa and Sonoma many times—but I never actually harvested or crushed grapes!
• Much has changed in the thousands of years since the Torah was written, but the basic rhythms remain remarkably familiar.

Details worth keeping

By the time Sukkot arrives, the threshing floor is finally empty. I find these ancient agricultural practices fascinating. We never really know what we'll get until the harvest comes in.

Related coverage

• Medium: Small moments build a life worth remembering. Continue reading on The Story Well »
• Psychologytoday: Engaging with drama, art, and music unlocks joy, expanding cognitive horizons and building lifelong resilience.