Thousands of Jews from all backgrounds visited the “International Sukkah” opposite the United Nations and the other central Lubavitch Youth Organization’s sukkos in Manhattan.
There was one built at 6th Avenue corner 32nd Street – one of New York’s busiest intersections – and another downtown near Wall Street’s Charging Bull landmark statue.
At these Sukkahs, lawyers could be seen catching a few moments for lunch before hurrying back to their prestigious offices. Nearby, for example, a prominent contractor sat next to a real estate broker, completing their conversation as they grabbed a bite in the sukkah.
Alongside were frum Jews on chol hamoed trips or in the city during to take care of affairs that would otherwise lead to a loss, and tourists visiting New York who sought a sukkah where they could eat their meal.
At the sukkah in front of the U.N., Jewish diplomats stopped by to fulfill the commandment of lulav and esrog, and to witness the “miracle of Sukkos” together with Jews of all backgrounds.
Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director of Lubavitch Youth, pointed out its unique location, saying: “We are here right opposite the building where some have denied the Holocaust and demand destruction, G-d forbid, of the Jewish people.”
Quoting from Koheles (Ecclesiastes), “G-d has made one opposite the other,” Rabbi Butman continued by proclaiming that “Our people’s eternal sukkah is the answer to all the vicious libels and scorn from across the street, and the lesson is clear and unambiguous, that the sukka of peace will nullify all slanderous words and bring peace, true peace, to all humankind.”
After blessing the lulav and esrog, guests expressed their thanks for the invitation and for the privilege to be in this sukkah, which “gives us the power and courage to stand up to our foes.”
Chabad’s efforts didn’t stop there. Pairs of yeshiva students covered many city neighborhoods, working with typical Chassidic enthusiasm to bring the mitzvah of lulav and esrog to many thousands of Jews.
“This is an integral part of the Rebbe’s activities expressing his concern for every Jew, wherever he is,” noted Rabbi Yossi Butman, who organized the Sukkos activities for Lubavitch Youth, together with a team of Chabad yeshiva students who worked energetically to ensure the activities’ success.
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