The Sabbath evening prayers use an unusual metaphor for peace: "May You spread over us the 'sukkah' of Your peace."
Why pray for a sukkah - a makeshift booth - of peace? Would it not be better to have a secure fortress of peace?
Even Imperfect Peace
Jewish law validates a sukkah even when it has gaping holes, when it is built from little more than two walls, or has large spaces between the walls and the roof. Even so fragile a structure qualifies as a kosher sukkah.
The same applies to peace. Peace is so precious, so vital, that even if we are unable to attain true peace, we should still pursue a partial measure of peace. Even an imperfect peace among neighbors, or between an individual and the community, is worthwhile.
"How great is peace!" exclaimed the Sages [VaYikra Rabbah 9:9]. The value of peace is so great that we pray for it even if it will be like a sukkah - flimsy and temporary, rendered fit only by special laws.
The Sages made a surprising claim about the power of teshuvah (repentance)
