Our family still talks about the problem that we always had with bees while sitting in our sukkah in Montreal, interrupting beautiful evenings complete with elegantly prepared meals and lovely decorations, many saved from previous years, that little grandchildren made and then laughed at as they became more “mature” (probably 10-12). We tried to buy a bell of some sort in every city that we visited so that we could hang them in our sukkah and reminisce with our cowbell from Grindelwald, a Navajo bell that we purchased in Arizona and many others; all were memories of wonderful days. Yet if we mention Sukkot in Montreal to our beloved children and grandchildren, they will inevitably remind us of the disastrous meals that we shared with the Montreal bee population. Everyone was forever running inside the house or just out of the sukkah. The memories of special treats and fancy desserts have taken a backseat to their bee experiences.
Fast forward many years and here we are in the middle of a pandemic that none of us could have dreamed of. How thrilled we all are to be able to eat outdoors at the many local establishments (and now inside as well)! We have noted that most people are taking advantage of the beautiful weather and choosing to eat outdoors. There we are, sitting at Sammy’s, Lazy Bean or any of the wonderful establishments on Queen Anne or West Englewood and we become observers of the local “bee hop.” Have you seen it? Old people, young, very sophisticated looking people, teenagers and kids cannot stop jumping around. The bees have invaded the eateries of our neighborhood—and who can blame them?
Just as in the sukkah in Montreal, they know where good food is to be found, so they have relocated to Teaneck to enjoy the aromas of smoked meat, pizza, pasta, sushi, Chinese and more. You name it; they can get it, and the bee hop continues. Forgive us, but it is funny to watch “adult” mommy and daddies jumping up in front of their young children, and grandparents, who are supposed to be the elders of the family, filled with righteousness and common sense, running halfway up the street in order to escape the busy bees. Yes, we do know about the severity of bee stings for those who have specific allergies to the flying black and yellow enemy. That is not the majority of people.
Perhaps the bees are using their method of annoyance since it is their only way of reminding us that Rosh Hashanah is around the corner, and we should all be wishing and praying for a sweet year and certainly for a better year than the one that is ending. Through that bite of apple with honey, through challah with honey instead of salt, we are reminded that these annoying creatures are also celebrating the potential of the upcoming year.
After swallowing the sweetness of the honey, we should realize that as much as we all wish for an easier and better year, in many cases it is up to us to work on making it happen. How many of us have bitten into a “new fruit” and found that despite the fact that the most expensive and exotic fruit was chosen for this occasion, we find the taste revolting and sometimes even the appearance of the fruit displeasurable. Yet the bee consistently provides us, year after year, with a sweet, gooey reminder of what we would like the year ahead to be. Perhaps instead of running away from these black and yellow flying creatures, we should dance around them and celebrate the sweetness and promise that they are providing us with.
By Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick
