Sukkah of Faith, Rooted in Truth
September 24, 2026
Faith is often understood as what begins where certainty ends. In the face of truth, we might assume faith is no longer necessary. Our tradition seems to teach otherwise: faith and truth are not opposites. In fact, they are linguistically and theologically related and complementary.
As commentators as diverse as Ramban, R. Nachman of Breslov, and R. Eliezer Berkovits point out, Emunah and Emet share a linguistic root. All show that Emunah is better translated as fidelity, steadfastness, and trust in a God and covenant—and not as intellectual belief. And Emet is the fulfillment of that promise, the faithfulness with which God remains true to us in every circumstance.
In this vein, the Shem MiShmuel draws a fascinating parallel between Pesach and Sukkot, and between Shavuot and Simchat Torah. Pesach and Sukkot are both described in kabbalistic literature through the language of faith. On Pesach, we consume michla d’meheimanuta, the “food of faith”; on Sukkot, we sit in tzila d’meheimanuta, the “shade of faith.” Both statements of faith are statements of fidelity, closeness, and love, and both culminate in Torah: Pesach leads to Shavuot, and Sukkot to Simchat Torah. This Emunah leads us toward Emet—toward Torah, covenant, and a trusting relationship. And so on Simchat Torah we proclaim: “Moshe Emet, V’Torato Emet”—Moshe is true, and his Torah is true.
At Berman, Torah is the first of our five core values, and in our mission statement we proudly proclaim: “We are rooted in Torah, where study shapes halachic practice and commitment and inspires a meaningful relationship with God.” Torah is at once our covenant and our steadfast relationship. It is our root, our anchor, our Emet—a truth that inspires faith-in, and a faithfulness that draws us closer and closer to truth.
Looking around our building this past introductory month, we saw this interwoven nature of Emet and Emunah: a commitment to truth expressed through a true commitment to Torah, Tefila, God, and Judaism. From our youngest students’ first encounters with shofar, tashlich, and sukkah, to our Lower School and Middle School students’ embrace of Torah study, to our oldest students’ Selichot, in-depth study of Halacha, and commitment to Torah beyond the school day, Torah is not merely something we study. It is a living relationship—an Etz Chayim, a source of life and joy.
- Nachman of Breslov teaches that on Simchat Torah, our return to Torah is one that is close and accessible to everyone—from the Sukkah’s embrace, to circling the Torah during hakafot, to receiving aliyot:
וְעַל־כֵּן בְּשִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה…כָּל אֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל יֵשׁ לוֹ חֵלֶק בְּתוֹרַת אֱמֶת, כִּי עִקַּר הָאֱמֶת הוּא לְקָרֵב וְלֹא לְרַחֵק.
“On Simchat Torah…every Jew has a share in the Torah of truth, for the essence of truth is to draw close and not to push away.”
That may be the deepest connection between Emunah and Emet. Not as an abstract or distant truth, but as a calling to closeness. May this foundation of our year continue to inspire in all of us a joyful and loving commitment to a life of Torat Emet.
Chag Sameach!
Rabbi Dr. Hillel Broder