Exodus 23:16 mentions the three Feasts, in Deuteronomy 16:13 we read about the Feast of Tabernacles and the guidelines for the celebrations are written in Leviticus 23:40-44.

Linked to agriculture

Sukkot occurred in the fall harvest, therefore it was also observed as an agricultural event. Prayers for a rainy season are recited.

Different celebrations

Ashkenazi Jews wear a Kitel during this time. This is a Yiddish word for “smock”, a loose wide vestment that is worn on solemn occasion and on High Holidays.

The color white closely associates with atonement and purity.

In Sephardic congregations the Shofar (ram’s horn) is blown. In the weeks before these High Holidays you can hear people practicing their skill on the Shofar .

The season of rejoicing

Sukkot is a week of rejoicing beginning on the 15th of the Jewish month of Tishrei , the date of the first full moon after the autumnal equinox. This year, 2007, it is celebrated from September 26 – October 4.

The festival is “the season of our rejoicing”, when Israelites eat their meals in a tabernacle or booth that is covered with boughs, (but with the sky showing through) in remembrance of the desert wanderings.

A week-long holiday

In the Diaspora (outside Israel) the first days are celebrated as full holidays (like a Sabbath). The last day (“the Eight Day of Solemn Assembly”) is also kept as a holiday, followed by Simhat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law). Thus in reality the holiday lasts nine days.

The days in between are called “ Hol ha Mo’ed ”, in which people are allowed to work, but the festival framework is maintained. It is a family oriented Feast, and most Israelis take a holiday.

Dwelling in the Sukkah

The holiday’s main observance involves “dwelling” in the sukkah (booth). The concept of thanksgiving for the harvest remains central, symbolized by the fruits (real or artificial) that decorate the Sukkot (one sukkah , two Sukkot ).

Some say the American Pilgrim fathers were influenced by the Jewish observance of Sukkot , from which Thanksgiving Day came.

The first sukkah

The first Sukkot built in the wilderness were probably made from the branches of the acacia (Lotus) tree. This tree grows in the desert wadis where floodwaters provide the necessary moisture. The Ark of the Covenant was made of acacia wood.

Once in the Promised Land, the Israelites were able to use the trees of the forest to build Sukkot , as we can read in Nehemiah 8:15. The Bible mentions olive, pine, myrtle, and palm branches.

Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) however, never built booths, because they lived in huts all year round.

Together with the reminder of Israel’s journey in the wilderness, the rabbis said the sukkah was the symbolic reminder of man’s reliance on Divine protection.

“In Salem [Jerusalem] also is His tabernacle, [ sukkah ]

And His dwelling place in Zion.” (Psalm 76:2 NKJV)

Enter, exalted holy guest…

Ushpizin , (Aramaic word for guests) was a 16th century Kabalistic custom that is still part of the religious observance. Ushpizin refers to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David who each day are symbolically welcomed into the sukkah .

The Four Species

A general part of the Festival are the “four species” – Araba’ah Minim – which are held together and waved at different points in the religious services, in accordance with the commandment “Rejoice before the LORD”.

The four species consist of a lulav -palm branch, etrog – citron, hadasim – three myrtle twig, and the aravot – two willow branches. These species combined are called the Lulav .

Bible readings during Sukkot

During Sukkot services the unabridged Hallel (Psalm 113-118) is recited each morning.

Further Biblical readings during Sukkot :

Leviticus 22:26-23:44

Numbers 29:12-31

Zechariah 14:1-21

1 Kings 8:2-21

Exodus 33:12-34:26

Ezekiel 38:18 – 39:16

The book of Ecclesiastics

On the first day of Sukkot

On the first seven days of the festival a processions takes place around the synagogue, while the Hoshanot prayers are recited and hymns are sung. The” hosha-na ” (Save us, we pray) reminds of the ceremony during Temple times when daily circuits were made around the altar.

Intermediate days of Sukkot

During Temple times, part of Sukkot was the water drawing ceremony, when water libations were poured over the altar, to highlight the petitions for rain. In modern Israel, special “water drawing” ceremonies are held during the intermediate days of Sukkot . People play musical instruments and sing biblical songs, such as the well known song, “You shall draw water with gladness out of the wells of salvation”, taken from Isaiah 12:3.

Public Bible reading

Portions of the Torah were read during ancient times by either the king or religious leaders. In modern Israel, the President publicly read from the Torah to assembled guests at the Western (Wailing) wall in Jerusalem.

On the seventh day of Sukkot

On the seventh day of Sukkot the Great Hoshanah ( Hoshanah Rabbah ) takes place, tradionatelly marking the conclusion of the solemn season.

The four species are exchanged for a bundle of “ Hoshanot ”, which is struck three times until some of the leaves fall off. This symbolized the resurrection, as the denuded branches bud with new life in due season.

On the eight day of Sukkot

On the eight day the Prayer for Rain is said, essential for a fruitful year. In Israel (in the Diaspora a day later) Simhat Torah marks the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new cycle.

Sukkot in ancient times

During the time of the Temple, a total of 70 bullocks were sacrificed on the seven days of the festival. (Numbers 29:12) Rabbis suggest this corresponds with the 70 nations of the world.

The rainy season

The prayers for rain commence during Sukkot and continue till Pesach , which coincides with the end of Israel’s rainy season.

Sukkot – a prophetic Feast

In future times, not only the Jews will go up to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot ; Zechariah states that the gentiles too, will have to celebrate the Feast. When they refuse to do so, their nations will be punished by a rain-less year.

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which 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… And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.” (Zechariah 14:16-19 NKJV)

Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles

For many years, Christians come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. The International Christian Embassy yearly sponsors a Christian Celebration which attracts thousands of people from around the world.

We don’t have to wait for the future, we can celebrate Sukkot now.

With joy, we may draw water from the Well of Salvation. Together with the Jewish people, we may rejoice in God, our Maker.