We cannot always dispel the darkness around us. Yet even in the face of unimaginable horror, we can summon the courage and resilience to create light, affirm hope, and choose life. A reflection on October 7.

The words we choose reveal what we see, what we overlook, and sometimes, the biases we would rather keep hidden.

Sukkot challenges us to practice radical hospitality: to widen our circles, welcome the stranger, and create communities where everyone has a place.

When life overwhelms us, we may be surprised by what “spills out,” and what it reveals about ourselves.