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Sukkot 5764
Chag sameach!
Sukkot this year begins on Friday night, October 10, and continues until the end of Simchat
Torah on Sunday, October 19.
The Background:
Sukkot is a holiday with roots in many different parts of the Jewish tradition. First and
foremost, Sukkot is one of the Shalosh Regalim, pilgrimage festivals during the time of the
Temple in which Jews would make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. Secondly, Sukkot
commemorates the wandering of the Jews in the desert for 40 years. During that time, the Jews
lived in temporary huts or booths (sukkot in Hebrew). Lastly, Simchat Torah is often times
referred to as Z'man Simchateinu or the time of our rejoicing. In contrast to the solemn message
of the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot is a joyous festival.
The Customs:
- It is customary to begin building the Sukkah immediately after Yom Kippur. The Sukkah should
be a 3-walled structure, large enough to dwell in. It's roof should be made of Shkah, which is
any type of greenery that grew in the ground and was cut off (bamboo, tree branches, etc.). It
should be a complete enough roof to cover over half the Sukkah in shade, but still allow one to
see the stars at night.
- It is also customary to decorate the Sukkah with fruits and vegetables that commemorate
the season and create the sense of joy that Sukkot is known for.
- During Sukkot we use a Lulav and an Etrog. The Lulav and the Etrog make up the Arba Minim
or 4 Species. The Species are Etrog, Lulav (Palm branch), Arava (2 Willow Branches), and Hadas
(3 Myrtle Branches). The Etrog and the Lulav are held during Hallel in the Sukkot service and
also during the Hakafot (marches around the bimah), and a blessing is recited on them in the
Sukkah.
The Extras:
- At the end of Sukkot comes Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Shemini Atzeret is merely the
day after Sukkot. Rabbinic literature tells us that Sukkot is so joyous that after God invites us
to rejoice for seven days he is so pleased that we are invited back for another. Shemnin Atzeret
also marks Simchat Torah, the celebration of the completion of a full reading of the Torah.
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