So, is this how it's going to be?

Hello Sukkos, I've missed you, the holiday that comes only once a year. I was so looking forward to spending some time with you, for 8 days.

Then came the rain. Big, fat drops streaking across my window, lending the appearance of teardrops. But I'm not crying. Not this time. This was supposed to be a good year. This is going to be a good year.

So then, what is it you are saying? That you don't want us? Should we sit outside anyway, in the cold wet rainy night?

There will be those who say, "Women don't need to eat in a Sukkah", or "Women are not obligated to shake lulov and esrog". To them I say, how can you take away this special mitzvah from the ones who work so hard to prepare for this yom tov? You are basically telling them, no need to try harder, your efforts don't count.

But we know that is not true. We have higher standards. We go 'lifnim meshuras hadin', beyond the letter of the law. I have never sat inside on Sukkos, and I don't plan to start this year.

I don't know how this will work. I left my rain boots at home.

I always had a weird thought about Yom Kippur. The prayer of ne'ila, we say, is signifying that the gates of heaven are closing, and it is the last moment for us to pray for a good year. I always found that a bit sad, until I read on Chabad.org that the gates are closing, with us on the inside. We are not left outside the palace, in the cold and the rain. We are invited inside, to the warmth, to sit by the fire and bask in the presence of Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

And when the rain splish-splashes into your chicken soup, and you are huddled in a sweater for warmth, and all you want to do is go inside- go beyond your comfort. Enjoy your Yom Tov meal, along with the Ushpizin.

May we all merit to spend this Sukkos in Hashem's great Sukkah, in Yerushalayaim with Moshiach Now!