Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot – Give Me Shelter!
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Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:26; Numbers 29:17-22
Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16
Besorah: John 7:2-24
Tishrei 17, 5785 | October 19, 2024
Shalom Chaverim (Friends)!
I am very excited to share this week’s reflection on Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot! This special Shabbat, falling during the intermediate days of Sukkot, gives us a perfect opportunity to focus on one of the most meaningful themes of this festival—shelter. Sukkot, known as the Feast of Tabernacles, reminds us that God is our ultimate shelter, protecting and guiding us, both physically and spiritually.
Let’s dive into this week’s Torah portion, Haftarah, and Besorah to explore how the theme of shelter weaves through all these readings.
You can download a printable copy of this portion along with study and reflection questions at the end of this post!
Torah Portion: Exodus 33:12–34:26; Numbers 29:17-22
Understanding the Portion
In the first part of our Torah portion, we find Moses having an intimate conversation with God. He pleads for God’s presence to go with the Israelites as they journey toward the Promised Land. Moses says:
“But then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with me, don’t let us go up from here!”
(Exodus 33:15, TLV)
This plea reflects Moses’ deep understanding that it’s God’s presence—His shelter—that truly protects and guides Israel. Without God’s presence, they would be vulnerable and lost.
God answers Moses’ request with a powerful promise:
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”
(Exodus 33:14, TLV)
This rest, or menucha, speaks of the peace and security that comes from dwelling under God’s shelter. Sukkot, when we dwell in temporary booths, reminds us of this truth—that our real security doesn’t come from physical structures but from God’s presence in our lives.
Later, we read about the renewal of the covenant after the sin of the golden calf, including the commands for the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, one of which is Sukkot. This festival is a reminder of how God sheltered the Israelites in the wilderness, and how He continues to be our shelter today.
A Little Nugget: God’s Presence as Shelter
One of the most profound lessons in this portion is the idea that God’s presence is our ultimate shelter. In Hebrew, the word sukkah (סֻכָּה) literally means a temporary dwelling or shelter. But it’s more than that—it’s a symbol of God’s protection and provision. The fragile sukkah we sit in during Sukkot reminds us that even when life feels uncertain or fragile, God’s presence is a constant source of strength and security.
Just as the Israelites couldn’t move forward without God’s presence, we too must remember that our true shelter is found in Him—not in physical buildings, jobs, or worldly security, but in His divine protection.
Application: Finding Your Shelter in God
As you reflect on this Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot, ask yourself: Where are you seeking shelter in your life? Are you placing your trust in temporary things, or are you resting in God’s eternal presence? Take some time this week to meditate on God’s protection and provision in your life. Even when the walls feel fragile, remember that He is your true shelter.
Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18–39:16
Understanding the Portion
In the Haftarah, we encounter the dramatic prophecy of the battle of Gog and Magog. This prophetic vision, often associated with the end times, describes a massive battle where nations rise against Israel. However, in the face of overwhelming odds, God intervenes and shelters His people.
“I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“every man’s sword will be against his brother.”
(Ezekiel 38:21, TLV)
God’s defense of Israel in this final battle serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how dire the circumstances, God is our ultimate protector.
The connection to Sukkot here is profound. Just as the Israelites lived in fragile booths in the wilderness, surrounded by uncertainty, God was their shelter and protector. In this Haftarah, we see that in the greatest battle yet to come, God will once again be Israel’s shelter—defending them from their enemies and demonstrating His power and glory to the nations.
A Little Nugget: Sheltered from the Storm
The battle of Gog and Magog might feel distant or abstract, but it reflects a deep truth about God’s nature. He shelters His people in times of trouble, even when the storm seems overwhelming. The imagery in Ezekiel, of God’s hand protecting Israel, reminds us that just as He defended them in the wilderness, He will defend us in the storms of life.
During Sukkot, we sit in the sukkah, exposed to the elements. Yet, even in its fragility, we trust that God will shelter us from the storms—both literal and metaphorical.
Application: Trusting God’s Protection in Uncertain Times
Reflect on your own life: where are the “storms” right now? Whether it’s personal challenges, fears for the future, or difficulties beyond your control, the message from Ezekiel is that God is our protector. He shelters us in His presence. This week, as you sit in your sukkah, let the fragile walls remind you that though life is uncertain, God’s protection is unshakable.
Besorah: John 7:2-24
Understanding the Besorah Portion
The Besorah reading brings us to Yeshua’s time, where we find Him at the Festival of Sukkot. His brothers urge Him to go to Jerusalem publicly, but Yeshua chooses to go in secret, only later teaching openly at the Temple:
“My teaching is not from Me, but from Him who sent Me”
(John 7:16, TLV)
The passage highlights the tension between the world’s expectations and God’s timing. Yeshua’s reluctance to go public before the right moment shows us how deeply connected He was to His Father’s will, seeking shelter in God’s timing and not human pressures.
This passage also reflects a critical teaching from Yeshua—judging rightly. He challenges the people to look beyond outward appearances and understand the deeper spiritual truths of His message:
“Do not judge by appearance, but judge righteously.”
(John 7:24, TLV)
Yeshua’s words remind us that just as we find shelter in God, we must seek the deeper truths of His word rather than relying on outward appearances.
A Little Nugget: True Shelter in God’s Will
Yeshua’s actions during Sukkot reflect a powerful truth: shelter isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual. He shelters Himself in God’s will, not in the expectations of others. Yeshua shows us that even when the world presses us to act, it’s God’s will and timing that provide true security.
Just as Yeshua trusted in the Father’s plan, we too are called to seek shelter in God’s timing, trusting that He knows what’s best for us.
Application: Resting in God’s Timing
Are there areas in your life where you feel pressured by the world’s expectations? This week, consider how you can shelter yourself in God’s timing, just as Yeshua did. Are you trusting God’s will, or are you rushing to meet the world’s demands? Sukkot reminds us to dwell in God’s presence and let His will be our guiding shelter. Take time to pray and listen to where God is leading you, knowing that His timing is perfect.
Connecting the Teachings: Shelter in God’s Presence
This week’s Torah, Haftarah, and Besorah readings beautifully connect around the theme of shelter. In Deuteronomy, we are reminded that God’s presence is our true shelter. In Ezekiel, we see God’s protective hand in the midst of battle, sheltering Israel from harm. And in John, Yeshua teaches us the importance of sheltering ourselves in God’s will and not rushing to meet the world’s expectations.
1. Finding Shelter in God’s Presence
- Just as Moses asked for God’s presence to go with the Israelites, we must seek our shelter in God’s presence today. Where are you placing your trust—temporary things or in God’s eternal shelter? Reflect on how you can lean into His presence for protection and peace.
2. Trusting God’s Protection in the Storms
- Ezekiel’s prophecy reminds us that God is our protector, even in the most overwhelming circumstances. What storms are you facing in your life? Trust that just as God sheltered Israel, He will shelter you. Ask God for strength and trust Him to be your refuge in times of trouble.
3. Resting in God’s Timing
- Yeshua teaches us that true shelter comes from doing God’s will, not from rushing to meet worldly expectations. Are there areas in your life where you feel pressured to act before it’s time? This Sukkot, focus on dwelling in God’s presence and trusting His perfect timing for your life.
Practical Applications
1. Dwell in God’s Presence:
- Spend time in your sukkah (or in a quiet place) this week, reflecting on how God’s presence is your ultimate shelter. How can you better trust Him with the uncertainties in your life?
2. Reflect on God’s Protection:
- Think about the “storms” you’re facing right now and bring them to God in prayer. Ask for His protection, and trust that He is your refuge in the midst of challenges.
3. Seek Shelter in God’s Will:
- Are you rushing ahead or letting the world’s expectations dictate your actions? Take time to pray about where God is leading you and commit to trusting His will and timing, just as Yeshua did.
Reflection Questions
Yeshua chose to wait for the right time to go public during Sukkot, trusting in the Father’s will. Are there areas in your life where you need to trust God’s timing rather than rushing forward?
Where do you find your shelter in life? Are there areas where you’ve been relying on temporary sources of protection rather than God’s presence?
How does God’s promise to shelter and protect Israel in Ezekiel connect to your own experience of trusting God during difficult times?
For a printable version of this portion along with study and reflection questions, follow the link below!
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Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.