Happy Sukkot, John! 1st October 2012
Praying on Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) toward the TempleMountwhere the HolyTemple stood in Yeshua’s day in Jerusalem.
“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord's Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days.
The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work. For seven days present offerings made to the Lord by fire, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an offering made to the Lord by fire. It is the closing assembly; do no regular work.” (Leviticus 23: 34-36)
Tonight, as the sun sets, the Festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) begins.
And here in Israel and all around the world, the Jewish People will be spending time in the sukkot (plural of sukkah) that they built when Yom Kippur ended just days ago.
This holiday is a pilgrimage festival that is linked to the harvest, known as Chag HaAsif (Festival of Ingathering). During Temple times, every Israelite went up to Jerusalem to attend services and celebrate at the Temple.
Sukkot are everywhere in Israel right now. It’s such a sight to see. They are on balconies and verandas, in alleys, and even beside pools.Many families not only eat their meals in the sukkah, they also host asukkah party during the Feast of Sukkot.
Sukkot is also a commemoration of the 40 years that Israel wandered in the wilderness and lived in sukkot (booths or tabernacles) following the exodus from Egypt.
“Live in booths [sukkot] for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in booths so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt.'” (Leviticus 23:42-43)
This holiday is a very joyous one, so much so that it is also called Zeman Simchatenu, the Season of Rejoicing!
“On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.” (Leviticus 23: 40, see also Nehemiah 8:15)
A Jewish man faces east toward Jerusalem and prays while wavingthe lulav and the etrog in his sukkah. The etrog (in the left hand) andlulav (in the right hand) are held together in the traditional fashionand waved or shook toward the east, south, west and north.
While one of the main observances of this holiday is sitting in the sukkah, the lulav (a bundle of date palm fond, myrtle, and willow) and an etrog (a deliciously fragrant lemon-like citrus) are also waved before the Lord.
When the Temple stood, this waving ceremony was performed on all seven days of Sukkot at the HolyTemple.
Sukkot, which follows right after Rosh HaShanah (Day of Judgment) and Yom Kippur (the day the judgment is sealed), represents renewed fellowship with God.
Since the etrog (citron) is used in a religious ceremony, it must beabsolutely perfect. Great care and delight is taken in finding onethat is perfectly formed, beautiful, and without blemish.
We all look forward to the future fulfillment of this Day of Ingathering when the Jewish People are gathered and Messiah will reign on the earth (Isaiah 27: 12-13; Jeremiah 23:7-8).
At that time, the Bible says, the nations will come before the Lord during the Feast of Sukkot to worship Him in Jerusalem.
“Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.” (Zechariah 14: 16)
It is now late afternoon here in Israel and there is a sense of urgency, prayers and singing to Adonai are going forth at the Kotel – Wailing Wall – Sukkot is ABOUT TO BEGIN!
Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday) from the entire Bibles For Israel staff.
We wish you happiness and joy during this Season of our Rejoicing!