These are the seven guests, ushpizin,
invited to our Sukkah –
Abraham
He showed us how to think.
Always our very first.
Let’s keep him in this spot
for all our beginnings.
Isaac
The first laugh in the Torah.
If you begin with a joke
you’ll have them for the
serious business to come.
Jacob
Father of many.
Coat giver. Took the birthright
when it wasn’t tradition
but needed so wisdom
could rule over brawn.
Joseph
Led us to the good life in Egypt.
Until it wasn’t the good life and
they forget about him. Popular
with the ladies. Made sure
everyone had wheat.
Moses
Had to learn he was one of us.
Took on an unpopular forty year project.
Saw it almost ’til the end.
Took two tablets – he’d call us in the morning
if he was able.
Aaron
Before rabbis and cantors
and religious school teachers.
Before Temple presidents and
executive directors, before them al
there was Aaron. He did
what we know all do.
David
Famous for speaking rock to power.
He wrote the psalms that make
the whole world sing. You can see
his city in the center of our promised land.
And you should do that.
These are our celebrated guests.
Their stories are our stories.
Forever welcome
in this shelter.