Holidays - Sukkot
Following on the heels of Yom
Kippur, the eight day festival of
Sukkot is a
welcome
break from
Yom Kippur’s
heavy mood
of introspection
and soul
searching. Many
mitzvot are associated with
Sukkot. The sukkah itself and
the gathering of the lulav and
etrog are undoubtedly the
most recognizable of the
mitzvot. But one mitzvah
stands out above the others,
the mitzvah (literally ‘commandment’)
of being happy.
The rabbis called Sukkot, ‘zman
simhateinu,’ ‘the season of our
rejoicing.’ Through eating,
entertaining, singing and dancing
the festival can indeed take
on a spirit of joy and celebration.
Feeling a sense of renewal
and hope from the Yamim
Noraim (Days of Awe), we
grant ourselves the pleasures of
the outdoors and of relaxation.
Lest we take this self indulgence
too far, our reading from
the Book of Kohelet
(Ecclesiastes) reminds us of the
temporal nature of this celebration.
Ultimately, Sukkot provides
many rich opportunities
to enjoy the blessings of life
while maintaining a keen
awareness of its fleeting nature.
Rejoicing
Shemini Atzeret and Simhat
Torah, originally the climax
and grand finale of the Sukkot
celebration, are now distinguished
by their emphasis on
the Torah. After studying the
Torah, one immediately realizes
that it is a great gift and
treasure of our people.
Therefore, Shemini Atzeret
and Simhat Torah are designated
as the time when the
community gathers to
celebrate the completion of the
annual Torah reading cycle and
the transition from the end of
the book Devarim
(Deuteronomy) to the beginning
of Beresheet (Genesis).
The celebration includes prayer,
song, and dance. Both the
young and the old will dance
around and embrace the Torah
to show their love and appreciation
for the gift of its teachings.
In the home, Shemini
Atzeret and Simhat Torah are
marked by the usual rituals of
Kiddush, candlelighting, etc.,
and by the prohibition on
working. Again, it is an excellent
opportunity for the family
to gather and celebrate the
teachings and ideals of the
Torah before gathering with
the community for a largescale
celebration.
Additional Resources
 Home Service for Erev Sukkot
 MyJewishLearning.com - Gateway to Jewish Exploration
JewishEncyclopedia.com - Online Jewish Encyclopedia
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
|
