A Sukka
Jerusalem is in the midst of the week long Feast of Sukkot/Tabernacles/Booths. It is a combination of a harvest festival and a religious holiday that celebrates and remembers four things:
- God’s Presence with and Provision for the Israelites during the Wilderness Wanderings.
- Renewal of the Covenant after the incident of the Golden Calf.
- Renewed relationship with God following the penitence and forgiveness of Yom Kippur, so it is filled with joyful celebration.
- Thanksgiving for the harvest and prayers for rain so that next year’s crops will be abundant and provide sustenance for the people.
The sukkot (plural for sukka = booth/tabernacle/tent) represent the portable shelters that the Israelites lived in during their 40 years of Wilderness wandering. People will spend the next week living in their sukkot, giving thanks for God’s provision for His people.
It is the most festive of the holidays in the Jewish Calendar, and the historian Josephus (37-100A.D.) said that it was the most popular of the feasts, sometimes simply called, “The Week of Joy.” So festive was Sukkot, that one of the Jewish commentaries from around Jesus’ time said that someone who had not seen the rejoicing of Sukkot had never seen rejoicing in his life!
During Jesus’ time the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated with special water rites each morning, when the High Priest would fill a large golden ewer with water from the Pool of Siloam and then lead a procession up to Temple, where he would pour the water on the altar. It was a symbol of God’s provision of water for the Israelites in the desert during the wilderness wanderings, as well as an enacted prayer for rain for the coming year. But it was also connected to the hope for the coming of the Messiah, who would cleanse the people from sin and pour out the Spirit of God.
There were also spectacular fire ceremonies each night. Huge candelabra would be lit all over the Temple, and the priests performed ceremonial dances with flaming torches as they sang hymns of praise. The fire and light was a reminder of God’s presence with His people, who had guided the Israelites during their journey as a pillar of fire by night and pillar of smoke by day. It was also a symbol of God’s holiness and goodness, for He is the refiner’s fire and the One who overcomes the darkness of evil. Finally, the fire was a reminder that God’s people are to be a light to the world.
Today, there are no longer water and fire rites, but the sentiments remain, as does the sense of joy as everyone remembers God’s provision and care for His people, during ancient times and still today.
Nice! Am really liking the Fire and Light of Celebration
I really enjoy your posts and am learning a lot about the Jewish customs. Can’t wait until I get to visit Israel. Thanks for including me in your posts
Vicky – Thank you. It is amazing to be here. I hope you can visit someday, it is really special to be here and walk the land. Take care. Blessings, Heidi
Thank you so much for giving us such incredible information of these most Holy Days.