Tuesday, October 14, 2014

TBE Bar/Bat Mitzvah Commentary: Sam and Ethan Essenfeld on Sukkot

Dvar torah Hol Hamoed Sukkot (say full name)

E: Hi, Im Ethan

 S: And Im Sam, but you already knew that

 E: Hooo boy…..


S: When we meet people and they find out that we are twins, they sometimes say that we dont look alike, and that is because we are fraternal twins.  Not only do we not look alike, we also don't have the same personalities.  For  example:

 E: I like the Yankees.

 S: and I like the Red Sox.

 E: However, we do have some common interests.

 S: We both love comics, humor, and just about anything that can put a smile on your face.

 E: You could say that were pretty happy guys.

S:  Speaking of being happy, did you know that Sukkot is also called “Zman Simchateynu”, which means “the time of our happiness”.  Therefore, we thought we could talk about what makes us happy, and what this has to do with Sukkot.

E: The book of Kohelet (or Ecclesiastes), which we read today (the 3rd day of Sukkot), talks about happiness and wisdom on how to lead a good life.  Also, Sam and I love Peanuts, you know, the comic strip.  And, in Peanuts, they often talk about happiness and how to have a good life.  Therefore, Kohelet and Peanuts both have “happiness” in common.

S: We would like to share a few quotes with you about happiness and wisdom on how to lead a good life both from the book of Kohelet and Peanuts.  See if you can guess which quote comes from which book.

E: Here is the first one: “It is better to go to a house of mourning than house of feasting, for that is the end of every person.” (1) This quote means that it is better to celebrate an entire persons life, rather than just one event.

S: Please raise your hand if you think this is a Peanuts quote.
(Pause a moment, while they raise their hands.)

E: And please raise your hand if you think this is a Kohelet quote.

 (Congregation raises their hands.)

S: If you thought this is a Kohelet quote, then you are correct. Now here is the second quote: “I have a new philosophy: Im only going to dread one day at a time.” (2) This means don`t fear the future.

E: Does anyone here think it is a Peanuts quote? Please raise your hand.

(Pause for a moment.  Congregation raises their hands)

S: If you think it is a Kohelet quote, please raise your hand.

 (Pause. Congregation raises their hands)

E: Ok, it is a Peanuts quote. Here is another quote: “Everything happens in its time.  The only thing that matters is to enjoy oneself and do what is good in our lifetime.” (3) This means that people should enjoy life by doing the right thing.

S: Please raise your hand if you think it is a Peanuts quote.

E: And please raise your hand if you think it is a Kohelet quote.

S: It is a Kohelet quote. Ok: “A whole stack of memories can never equal one little hope.” (4) This means that it is better to look toward the future than to simply dwell on the past.

E: Please raise your hand if you think it is a Peanuts quote.

S: And, please raise your hand if you think it is a Kohelet quote.

E: That was a Peanuts quote. Ok, here is the next quote: “Whenever someone eats and drinks and gets enjoyment out of all his wealth it is a gift from G-d.” (5) Be appreciative of what you have, and everything comes from G-d. 

S: Please raise your hand if you think it is a Peanuts quote.

E: And please raise your hand if you think it is a Kohelet quote.

S: It was a Kohelet quote. Alright, here is another one:  “I think Ive discovered the secret of life: you hang around until you get used to it.” (6) Don`t give up, keep trying until you succeed.

E: Please raise your hand if you think it is a Peanuts quote.

S: And please raise your hand if you think it is a Kohelet quote.

E: That was a Peanuts quote. Ok, here is the next quote: “My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I am happy.  I cant figure it out.  What am I doing right?” (7) This means don`t question good fortune.

S: Please raise your hand if you think it is a Peanuts quote.

E: And please raise your hand if you think it is a Kohelet quote.

S: That was a Peanuts quote. Ok, here is the final quote: “In the book of life, the answers arent in the back.” (8) This means you can`t cheat in life and you don`t always know how to do everything, but you can figure it out.

E: Please raise your hand if you think it is a Peanuts quote.

S: And please raise your hand if you think it is a Kohelet quote.

E:  It was a Peanuts quote. So - does anyone here want to give us another example of what happiness is?  (Walking around with mic – 2 people each)

S: Here are some examples of our own:  “Happiness is getting a hundred on a hard test.”

E: “Happiness is a good side dish.”

S: It is?

E: It very much is!

S: Heres one from John Lennon: “When I was in grade school, they told me to write down what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down happy. They told me I didn't understand the assignment.  I told them they didn't understand life.”

E: I think happiness is a long festival in the fall where you get to go outside, in order to go inside, and you get to wave branches and shake an etrog.  You also get to eat in the Sukkah and fulfill a mitzvah.

S: Sukkot really is the “time of our happiness”.  Plus, we get to march around with the Torahs on Simchat Torah, to signify our happiness for finishing reading the Torah.  Sukkot and Simhat Torah – its two holidays in one.

E: As Kohelet says, “Two are better than one!”

S: And were the proof of that!  (Sam & Ethan high five together)

E: Our mitzvah project also brought us happiness.  For several months earlier this year, we went to the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford to help kids from grades 1-4 with their homework.  We will continue volunteering throughout this school year. It was a lot of fun, and we felt appreciated when the kids thanked us.

S: In addition to helping kids with their homework, we are collecting board games and art supplies to donate to the children at the Boys & Girls Club.  We also bought board games to donate with money we earned over the summer.   Finally, we have helped to put the chairs away on Friday night after Shabbat services - those beautiful chairs donated by Sisterhood, which at the time was led by our mom. 


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