The Jewish Festival of Sukkot and the Christian Feast of the Tabernacles usually run concurrently during the month of October in the Holy Land, otherwise known as Israel. October usually brings cooler temperatures, especially at night, allowing people to enjoy being outdoors before the winter rains begin in November/December. Besides the religious aspect of the 8 day holiday, in which God commanded the Children of Israel to live during this period in ‘booths’ to remember their 40 year wanderings in the Wilderness of Sinai; the festival also commemorates the fall harvest of fruits such as pomegranates, dates, grapes, apples, quinces, and other seasonal fruits. Many people, especially those from Western countries, like to hang bunches of grapes and other fruits from the inside roof of their sukkah, to note the harvest aspect of the holiday. Areas in Israel, such as various national forests and other natural beauty spots are especially attractive places to visit and picnic in during this time.
For religious people in particular, the interim days of the festival, known in Hebrew as Hol-Hamoed, allows them to go on various trips or ‘tiyulim’ around the country, including visits to Israel’s capital and holy city of Jerusalem. A very interesting sight to see is the ceremony involving the Sukkot blessings at the Western Wall in the Old City. On these days, men bring their traditional citrons, known as etrogs, together with the long palm branch, known as lulavs, which consist not only of a palm frond from the tree’s center, but two other special branches of myrtle and willow. Together, with the etrog, which belongs to the citrus family and resembles a large, pointed lemon, special blessings are recited daily until the final festival of Simhat Torah, occurring on the eighth day. Special blessings known as the Halel are recited, as well as a blessing for rain and for the four annual seasons, in which the worshiper holds both the lulav and etrog in one hand and shakes then in four directions, in connotation for the four seasons.
The festival is said to have many Kabalistic significances, with certain meanings attached to both the items used in prayer (as noted) and various symbolic numerical meanings as well, including the special relationship between God and the People of Israel; and also concerning the Shield of David, the country’s national symbol. There is also belief that there are 70 nations in the world as well as the Israelite nation, which is connected more directly to God, and has been destined to bring the Light of the Creator to the 70 other nations. Religious Jews are commanded to eat all their meals, and even sleep in the sukkah. Construction of the ‘booth’ must begin immediately upon the end of the Yom Kippur fast.
Whether one is religious or not, this very pleasant holiday is a welcome change along with the change in seasons from Summer to Autumn.
(Photograph courtesy of www.theholidayspot.com/sukkot/sukkah.htm)
God willing, I would so Love to come and experience this with both Christians and Jews. I have a permanent sign at my front door that reads: Welcome To Our Sukkah. I love the questions it sometimes provokes from the bravehearted.