How is Sukkot Observed? (An Overview of Sukkot's Traditions and Customs -- Jewish Caucus)

Chabad Lubavitch ^ | 15th of Tishrei, 5771 | Chabad

[Jewbacca]

For forty years, as our ancestors traversed the Sinai Desert prior to their entry into the Holy Land, miraculous "clouds of glory" surrounded and hovered over them, shielding them from the dangers and discomforts of the desert. Ever since, we remember G‑d's kindness and reaffirm our trust in His providence by dwelling in a sukkah – a hut of temporary construction with a roof-covering of branches – for the duration of the autumn Sukkot festival. For seven days and nights, we eat all our meals in the sukkah – reciting a special blessing – and otherwise regard it as our home.

Another mitzvah that is unique to Sukkot is the taking of the Four Kinds: an etrog (citron), a lulav (palm frond), at least three hadassim (myrtle branches) and two aravot (willow branches). The Midrash tells us that the Four Kinds represent the various types and personalities that comprise the community of Israel, whose intrinsic unity we emphasize on Sukkot.

On each day of the festival (except Shabbat), during the daytime hours, we take the Four Kinds, recite a blessing over them, bring them together in our hands and wave them in all six directions: right, left, forward, up, down and to the rear. (The Four Kinds are also an integral part of the holiday's daily morning service.)

Sukkot is also called The Time of Our Joy; indeed, a special joy pervades the festival. Nightly Water-Drawing Celebrations, reminiscent of the evening-to-dawn festivities held in the Holy Temple in preparation for the drawing of water for use in the festival service, fill the synagogues and streets with song, music, and dance until the wee hours of the morning.

Sukkot runs from the fifteenth through the twenty-first of Tishrei. The first two days of this festival (in Israel only the first day) are a major holiday, when most forms of work are prohibited. On the preceding nights, women and girls light candles, reciting the appropriate blessings, and we enjoy nightly and daily festive meals, accompanied by the Kiddush.

The remaining days of the festival are Chol Hamoed ("intermediate days"), when most forms of work are permitted. We try to avoid going to work, writing, and certain other activities – many families use this time to enjoy fun family outings.

Every day of Sukkot, including Chol Hamoed, we recite the complete Hallel, Hoshanot, and Musaf, and the Torah is read during the morning service.

The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshanah Rabbah ("Great Salvation"). According to tradition, the verdict for the new year – which is written on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur – is not handed down by the Heavenly Court until Hoshanah Rabbah. On this day we encircle the bimah (synagogue reading table) seven times while holding the Four Kinds and offering special prayers for prosperity during the upcoming year. During the course of the morning prayers it is also traditional to take a bundle of five willow branches and beat them against the ground five times.

Sukkot is immediately followed by the independent holiday of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.

[Jewbacca]

This is my favorite holiday of the year. Good family time -- love the fall weather --- often good wine!

[Jewbacca]

Sukkot has started.

I encourage my secular Jewish Freeper friends to do this.

If you can’t build a proper Sukkah or don’t know the prayers, start with a simple tent cover in your back yard (like you see at a soccer game or fair — cost $150 at WalMart), spread out a blanket, drink a bottle of wine with your spouse, and thank G-d for another year.

Heck, just sit on your back porch and do the same.

That’s 80% of what it is about, and B- mitzvah is a great place to start.

[NoLibZone]

A question better suited to where US Jews hang out: Democratic Under ground or Daily KOS.

[who knows what evil?]

Many Christians observe this time as the season they believe Jesus Christ was born...

[TheThirdRuffian]

I share your interests, but note that this is a Jewish Caucus thread, posted in Religion.

Perhaps you could re-post and make your comments on a non-Caucus thread.

[who knows what evil?]

I share your interests, but note that this is a Jewish Caucus thread, posted in Religion.

My apologies...I didn't notice that...if you wish, have the moderator delete my comment.

[RobbyS]

Certainly more likely than December. Still an old tradition has it that a prophet dies on the anniversary of his birth. which meant that the Nativity occured during Passover,

[blasater1960]

I also love Sukkot, the Holiday of the Ushpizin! Also, the holiday that the Gentiles will observe in the Messianic Era.

A Jewish caucus thread! Finally!

[jjotto]

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1019866/jewish/Shabbat-Chol-Hamoed-Haftorah-in-a-Nutshell.htm

Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot Haftorah in a Nutshell

Ezekiel 38:18-39:16.

The subject of the haftorah of this Shabbat is the war of Gog and Magog that will precede the Final Redemption. Its connection to the holiday of Sukkot is that according to tradition the war will take place during the month of Tishrei, the month when the holiday of Sukkot falls. In addition, this war is identical to the one described in the fourteenth chapter of Zachariah, the haftorah read on the first day of Sukkot, which concludes by saying that the gentile survivors of this war will be required to go to Jerusalem every year on the holiday of Sukkot to pay homage to G-d.

The prophet describes Gog’s war against Israel and G-d’s furious response. G-d will send an earthquake, pestilence, great floods and hailstones and fire—utterly destroying Gog’s armies.

“And I will reveal Myself in My greatness and in My holiness and will be recognized in the eyes of many nations, and they will know that I am the Lord. . . . I will make known My Holy Name in the midst of My people Israel, and I will no longer cause My Holy Name to be profaned, and the nations will know that I, the Lord, am holy in Israel.”

The haftorah concludes by saying that the weaponry of the defeated armies of Gog will provide fuel for fire for seven years! The Jews “shall carry no wood from the fields nor cut down any from the forests, for they shall make fires from the weapons.”

[SunkenCiv]

I was observing Sukkot and didn't even know it.

• Israel Delegation No-Show for Obama UN Address

And in a sense, I've been doing this for over 18 months now. ;') Thanks Jewbacca.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[onedoug]

...as the season they believe Jesus Christ was born...

Or was killed.

There seem more palm fronds now in Jerusalem than at any other time of year. When Jesus entered Jerusalem he was cheered amidst a joyous crowd waving an abundance of palm fronds.

[left that other site]

A Blessed and Happy Holiday to You!

I had the Great Privilege of Celebrating Sukkot and My Birthday (which fell on Simchat Torah) in Jerusalem in 1984.

The sheer Joy of Simchat Torah at the Western Wall was something to behold.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!

[nolongerademocrat]

I didn’t know there was a Jewish caucus - thanks!

[Karliner]

One person told me a traveling rabbi I think, old and very smelly indeed(paraphrased)

We have this feast not so much in what we have, or how beautiful the decoration hare in our succoth but what is inside within our ruach; let the fools laugh, for remember well, there were only two men who escaped the 38 years of the desert and made it to the promised land. The rest complaining or mocking just what G!D did, has done and will do is the beginning of the wilderness death march that made Bataan in the Philipines look like a walk in the park. We complained and we never listened to the joy in which Hashem lovingly, mercifully led us from slavery to the promised land; succoth my friend is not a question of what one can buy, it is the answer which lies in the heart, for behold He stands at the door of your succoth, the ruach must enter like an almighty wind and rest quietly upon you like a whispering willow and in that time you will be swept in a moment in the blink of an eye to the promised land."

Was this man a crazy rebbe, of a wise old one?

So I shiver tonight, but I do not complain TOO much for the fire it consumes me by night, and cloud envelopes me by day.

[Jewbacca]

Please go read the rules of caucus threads. Thank you.

[Jewbacca]

Thank you.