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Sukkot
Sukkot is a Jewish festival in which Jews live and eat in huts called Sukkahs to represent the huts they lived in during the 40 years in the wilderness.
62 Questions
When did Sukkot take place this year?
Succos ALWAYS falls on the 15th of the Jewish month of Tishri.
In 2010 ("this year" at the time of writing), Succos began on 9/22 in the evening, and ended on 9/29 at nightfall. It was followed by the Shemini Atzeret holiday for the next two days.
What is the history of Sukkot?
Sukkot is a Jewish holiday, celebrated for 7 days beginning on the 15th day of Tishrei ending on the 21st of Tishrei.
Inside Israel, the 1st day is a major holiday where work is prohibited by the Torah. Outside of Israel, work is prohibited during the first 2 days. The remaining days are called 'Chol Hamoed' (the days between the holy day(s) of Sukkot and the holy days of the next holiday that starts the day after Sukkot ends). During chol hamoed, work restrictions are far less.
Sukkot has two aspects to its celebration. One is the celebration of the ingathering of harvested grain.
The spiritual aspect celebrates the Divine protection afforded to the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The name 'Sukkah' refers to the shelter provided by the Clouds of Glory.
During Sukkot, Jews eat all their meals in outdoor arbor-canopied booths (Sukkah) as commanded in the Torah. Some also sleep in the Sukkah. During the morning prayers on these days, we take the 4 minim consisting of a Lulav (young palm branch), an Etrog (Citrus Medica; citron), three Haddassim (Myrtle branches) and two Aravot (willow branches).
Why do Jews give out fruit baskets during sukkot?
Sukkot is a time of thanksgiving for the bounty of nature as the harvest season draws to a close. It is a festive time in which Jews celebrate by building a sukkah, a simple outdoor structure and garnishing it with garlands of fruits and hung vegetables. Foods made with fruits and nuts, particularly if they are native or indigenous to where you live - symbolize the harvest abundance. How lovely.
What is the Latin name for aravah or aravot whose branches are used during the festival of sukkot?
Aravot are from the willow tree, genus Salix.
What can people learn from sukkot?
1) To remember God's protection of the Israelites in the wilderness (as alluded to in Leviticus 23:43)
2) To remember that one's home is not his protector; his protector is God (that's one reason we leave the comforts of home during Sukkot)
3) To pray to God for rain (Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 16a).
What is the purpose of the tabernacle?
For the Jews to serve God and for God to have a place in which to dwell among them.
Sukkot's beginning and end days have the traditional restrictions of yomim tovim and the middle days have the traditional restrictions of hol ha-moed.
In terms of specific "Sukkot-ish" things, there is building the sukka or hut and performing the rituals with the four plant species (the lulav and the etrog).
What does John 7 verse 37-38 have in common with Sukkot?
Answer:
The 'Last Great Day' completes Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). It is the "eighth day" of the Feast (Lev.23:36).
God's annual Holy Day feasts depict His plan. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the end of it - Christ's thousand year rule on the earth, which ends with the Last Great Day - Judgment Day, the remaking of the earth and the Father's descent onto the New Earth in the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
See, Revelation 20:7-15... chapters 21 & 22.
In John 7:37-38... Jesus gives us a glimpse into Judgment Day. It will be a glorious day of mercy and forgiveness for any and all who will choose to 'believe in Him, according to the Scriptures,' which will be opened up... and opened up to the understanding of all, with no Satan around to deceive anyone.
"...the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works..." (Rev.20:12).
Does Sukkot and the feast of booths remind Jews of how their ancestors lived in the desert?
Yes, the Sukkot are supposed to remind you of the huts in the desert.
A sukkah is a temporary dwelling that Jews use during the holiday of Sukkot. It must have at least 2 1/2 walls, be at least three feet tall, and be positioned so that all or part of its roof is open to the sky. Many people decorate their sukkahs with streamers and small ornaments. Traditionally, Jews eat meals and sleep in sukkahs during the holiday of Sukkot.
Sukkot is celebrated among Jewish families, and special prayers are added in the synagogue services.
The 15th of Tishrei, which is in September or October.
How many weeks are between the Jewish passover and Sukkot?
There are around 25 weeks (177 days) between the first day of Passover and the first day of Sukkot.
Is there a dress or food that goes along with sukkot?
Dress: No, except (as in all festivals) that we wear proper and formal clothes (men wear suits and women where dresses)
Foods: There is no special food eaten strictly for Sukkot, but there are the four species which are fruits and plant-stalks that are used in a ritualistic manner. These items, though, are not eaten.
Where do Jewish pilgrims go during Sukkot?
Since the destruction of the Temple 2000 years ago, there has been no requirement to make a pilgrimage. While the Temple still stood, there was a Torah-command to go there for Passover, Shavuoth and Sukkot (Deuteronomy 16). Some people journey to Jerusalem (specifically to the Western Wall) during any one or more of the above festivals, but this is not presently an obligation.
See also:
The third pilgrimage feast is Succoth, a seven-day festival, also known as the feast of Booths, the Feast of Tabernacles, or just Tabernacles. The word Succoth is the plural of the Hebrew word succah, meaning booth or hut. Until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, Jews made their way to Jerusalem to celebrate each of the three pilgrimage feasts. "Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel. For I will cast out nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders; neither shall any man covet thy land, when thou goest up to appear before the Lord thy God three times in the year" (Exodus 34:23-24). "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16).
During this holiday, Jews eat their meals, entertain guests, relax, and even sleep in a succah, a temporary structure. The succah is reminiscent of the type of huts in which the ancient Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. This holiday marks and celebrates the ingathering of grain and fruit harvests.
How did the sukkot festival originate?
Sukkot was commanded by God (Leviticus ch.23). It commemorates the protection which God gave us in the wilderness, and it gives thanks for the annual ingathering of grain. It also marks the beginning of mentioning the rainy season in our prayers.
It is celebrated by Jews because of the command in Leviticus ch.23; and a reason is given there. Sukkot commemorates God having protected us in the wilderness, and it is also for thanking God for the harvest, and for praying for rain.
