Sukkot

Sukkot was September 30-October 7.  As we drove around that week, we saw these square structures replacing or next to the usual cafe tables and sun umbrellas next to restaurants and apartment buildings. 

Ophir Yarden says you can divide the Jewish holidays into roughly two camps. Many holidays can be simplified thus: "God is Great! Let's eat."  Others can be summarized by, "They tried to destroy us, they didn't succeed, God is great!  Let's eat."   Passover, Sukkot, Purim, and Hanukah fall into this category, commemmorating respectively the Exodus, forty-year trek in the wilderness, survival during Persian oppression, and Maccabean revolt. 

Sukkot means tabernacles or booths.  The sukkah has to be outdoors, because it commemorates the children of Israel living in temporary structures in the wilderness, vulnerable to the elements and therefore relying on the protection of the Lord. The idea is humility through relinquishing material comforts (think YW Camp), and also confidence in the providence of the Lord as demonstrated by his watchcare over the wandering Israelites. 

 The sukkah roof has to be made of plant material, and we saw palm branches or reed mats. It has to be permeable to rain and give the occupant the ability to see a few bright stars through the cracks of the roof. The roof goes on last and comes off first. The supports are supposed to be strong enough to keep the sukkah standing in a light wind, but not permanent enough to withstand a huge gale.

 There must be 2 1/2 sides, but it doesn't matter what the sides are made of. We saw fabric, tent material, and even plastic printed with the name of the nearby restaurant.

 Large apartment buildings usually have communal sukkot near the entrances, as do synagogues, but people put them on balconies as well. We saw garlands of flowers or strings of lights decorating the fanciest sukkot.

The idea is to live in them for a week, which for most people means eating and socializing, so most people eat at least some meals in the sukkah. Many people host family and friends in their sukkah on the eve, first day, or last day of Sukkot. 

 
The sukkot near restaurants allow the more observant Jews to eat all their meals in a sukkah for the week if they wish.

 

 In addition to building and dwelling in sukkot, the children of Israel were also commanded to wave four species of plants to the four corners of the world and beat then beat them on the ground.  This lively commemoration occurs in synagogues or by the Western Wall.  If you're curious to learn more about Sukkot, click here.