Sukkot

“On the first day you shall take the product of Hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook” (Leviticus 23:40)   “You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths with I brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:42-43)

Restaurants set up for customers 

on balconies and patios

 








These “hastily” built booths starting springing up about a week before the Sukkot Festival began.



In yards and open spaces everywhere.  In balconies, and roofs, in front of restaurants and in alleyways.  Many made with what looks like plywood, sheets, some in plastic over p.v.c. frames.  People who have made Aliyah, return to Israel, frequently reuse the shipping container that brought their

possessions to their new home, and some use cardboard.   

Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimages the Israelites made to the Temple and is still one of the three major holidays celebrated nationally.

500 Shekel for a Succot of your own
from the "Dollar Store" 

from the Hardware store
in our building 

In the courtyard at
the Student Village 

My intent is not to try to teach you about Sukkot, I’m sure many of you already know, and I know the dialogue group in Houston had an opportunity recently to learn about the holiday, its history and celebration.  I just wanted to share some of the booths that sprang up in Jerusalem. 

Chag Sameach!  (Happy Holiday!)

http://www.jewishagency.org/aliyah

http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm