sukkos

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I Hope You Had a Happy Sukkos!

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Sukkos is probably my favorite holiday...when the weather holds. The weather has been better in years other than 5758. This holiday has two names, the other being "Chag Ha'Asif," "The Harvest Festival." At this time of the year in Israel, the crops are gathered and the fruits are harvested. It is is a time of joy (not that I have any crops, other than bamboo). Sukkos, which runs for seven days started the 15th day of Tishrei (evening of Oct 15th). Sukkos observances are dwelling in a Sukkah and taking (waving) of the Four Species. It is immediately followed by two more holidays, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.

The Torah says in Vayikra ((LEVITICUS) 23: 42-43 ) "In booths you are to dwell for seven days ...so that your generations will know that I caused the children of Israel to dwell in booths when I took them from the land of Egypt..." The booths are temporary structures with a building code. Some of the requirements are that the "roof" or S'chach, be totally organic, that it be dense enough that less than 50% of the area allows light through, that stars can be see though it (real ones, It must be ourside), and that it has at least 2 1/2 walls.

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The first is a picture in last year's Sukkah, the second of the exterior of this year's one. The walls are outdoor "flake board" nailed to 2x4 frames. They are re-used every year although I noted this year that enough deterioration has occured to suggest that starting from scratch next year maybe necessary. They are stored outside in the weather. The S'chach is bamboo grown in my backyard for the purpose.

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This is a Sukkah decoration Sharon made last year.

Vayikra (23:40) also says "And you shall take for yourself on the first day the fruit of a goodly tree, branches of palm trees, the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before Hashem your G-d for seven days." To fulfill this mitzvah (commandment), we are required to hold together either fruit or branches from four different species of trees - the date palm (lulav), the myrtle (hadas), the willow (aravos), and the citron (esrog). The Gemora in the tractate of Sukkah ( 35a) identifies the species. It is said in the Midrash, that whoever fulfills this mitzvah as required and with proper intention brings about peace and harmony among Jews.

5758's Esrog and Luav