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SUKKOTH
Sukkoth is a holiday rich in tradition and meaning. From the holding of the
Lulav (branch of the date palm) and etrog (citrus fruit, not a
lemon) to the sitting in a Sukkah, the holiday is filled with symbolism
to express our relationship to G-d.
Sukkoth comes just five short days following Yom
Kippur. The timing is not accidental. Only after we have reached a new level
of purity and atonement on Yom Kippur, can we then be
truly joyous on Sukkot. Indeed, there is a special Mitzvah (Command of
G-d) of Simcha (happiness) on Sukkot.
Sukkoth commemorates how protective "Clouds of Glory" surrounded the Jewish
people after leaving Egypt during the forty years of wandering in the desert. It
also commemorates how the Jews lived in temporary dwellings during that same
time. So too we leave the safety and security of our houses and put ourselves
under the direct protection of G-d Almighty. His protection, in the final
analysis, is the only one that matters.
In Sukkoth you shall dwell seven days, every citizen in Israel they shall
dwell in Sukkot, in order that your generations shall know, that in Sukkoth did
I cause the children of Israel to dwell, when I brought them forth from the land
of Egypt (Leviticus Chapter 23) The Mitzvah of Sukkah
The Sukkah is the only Mitzvah in which we are completely
surrounded by the Mitzvah itself; enveloped, as it were, in the divine
presence.
The Mitzvah of Lulav and Etrog
A Time of Hope For Universal Peace
Other mitzvot on Sukkoth include the libation of water on the Alter
(in Temple Times), the beating of the Aravah on Hoshana Rabba; and a
specific mitzvah to rejoice.
Eating meals,
sleeping and spending time in the Sukkah (temporary dwelling) is a unique
religious experience. Some have the custom of decorating the Sukkah with
fancy decorations such as fruits or New Year's cards while others prefer to
preserve its unadorned simplicity.
The other well-known
mitzvah which pertains to Sukkoth is the mitzvah of taking a
lulav and etrog. There are actually 4 elements involved in this
mitzvah and all must be present to properly fulfill it. The four elements
are etrog, lulav (palm branch), hadas (avot tree branch),
aravah (willows of the brook). A bracha (blessing) is said on the
four species everyday of Sukkot.
When the Jewish people rejoice
on Sukkot, our hearts go out to the whole entire world. That means that
ultimately, when G-d brings peace to the earth it will be for all mankind. In
those days of the when the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, the Sukkoth Festival
offerings included seventy oxen, corresponding to the seventy nations, in prayer
for peace and harmony among all the nations of the world.
High Holidays resources:
| Month of Elul |
 What is it? (Russian)
About Teshuvah (Russian)
Fall Holidays (Russian) |
 Teshuva & Simcha: Can They Coexist? (English)
Why Slichoth? (Russian)
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| Rosh HaShanah |
What is it? (Russian)
Traditions (Russian) Hearing the Shofar (Russian)
Apple in the Honey (Russian)
|
What is it? (English)
Traditions (English) Laws of Rosh HaShanah (English) Rosh HaShanah recipes (English)
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| Yom Kippur |
What is it? (Russian)
Preparing to Yom Kippur (Russian) The Jewish Prayer (Russian)
Elegy about Yom Kippur (Russian)
The book of Yonah (Russian)
|
What is it? (English)
Preparing to Yom Kippur (English) Kol Nidrey & Yizkor (English) Day before Yom Kippur (Russian)
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| Sukkoth |
What is it? (Russian)
Themes of Kohelleth (Russian)
Shmini Atzereth & Simchath Torah (Russian)
|
What is it? (English)
Arbah Minnim - 4 species (English) Ushpizen (English)
Simchas Bais HaShoevah (English)
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Last update: September 1, 2001
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