A Dating Lesson From the Sukkot Holiday – Part II

In my last post I wrote about my search for the “right” etrog for the holiday of Sukkot and used my search as a metaphor for your soulmate search. I told you that I found an etrog that was on the cheaper end.

“I realized that it wasn’t perfect, but I liked it and felt that if I continued searching for something better I might end up wasting a lot of time and ending up with something less attractive. I showed my etrog to my friend who admitted to have already examined it and passed on it. To each his own. I bought the etrog and left. My friend continued to look at literally scores of etrogs in his search for the one he would consider beautiful.”

I wanted to give you an update on what happened during the holiday. When I took my etrog out in the synagogue to prepare to use it during prayer I spotted a blemish on it that I hadn’t noticed when I purchased it. At first I was a bit taken aback. I looked around the room at the other men’s etrogs, then back at mine. Hmmm…

You know what? It just didn’t bother me. More accurately, I didn’t let it bother me. So my etrog wasn’t perfect. So it had a little blemish. I bet if I closely examined any of the other etrogs in the room I would have found some sort of imperfection too. Nothing is PERFECT. So I lovingly embraced my etrog and rejoiced in holding it and using it in prayer. Did I have any regrets? Absolutely not. This etrog was mine now, and I was going to love it regardless of its flaws.

Everyone has flaws. No one is perfect (you certainly aren’t). The person you decide to marry won’t be either. Speak to your married friends and they’ll explain what I’m saying.

I’ve got one more Sukkot insight coming up in my next post, so stay tuned. You can subscribe to Jcoach on the sidebar to make sure you get the latest updates.

Happy Sukkot – Chag Sameach!!