Feast of Tabernacles - Sukkot 2019

Greengardener said:

I would like to hear more about the Sukkot. What options are you aware of for the celebration this year? What meaning do you bring to and get out of the celebration? What are your best memories, maybe your worst memories? What can you tell someone who wasn't raised with the concept?

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Well, for me, there will come a time when a trumpet shall be blown, and a standard lifted, and it will be expected for many to leave their conventional lively hoods behind, and go out into the wilderness to meet with Alôhâyîm, you know, nothing new under the sun, that which has been, is what shall be done;

Thus for me, the celebration gears those who take their celebration seriously, to be ready for such a day.

Greengardener said:

I would like to hear more about the Sukkot. What options are you aware of for the celebration this year? What meaning do you bring to and get out of the celebration? What are your best memories, maybe your worst memories? What can you tell someone who wasn't raised with the concept?

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What do you mean by opinions? To us it means the end of the cycle, the completion of all things. It represents the final in gathering harvest, a time for the community to gather together as one in celebration of the future restoration of all Israel. When the people have been released and returned to the land and Messiah reigns from Jerusalem. Sukkot brings some of the best moments to remember for me because of the atmosphere of camping in the wilderness with your closest friends and family. Conversely the worst memories are when the weather blows the sukkah down or the closeness of friends or family fades. If you were not raised in this custom find a Jew and come join in! One, it's a mitzvah for us and secondly we always encourage guests to join in. Win win.. both are blessed.

Greengardener said:

I would like to hear more about the Sukkot

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Thank you for this post. My sister wants to observe Sukkot, and I said I would help. So do you have to build the Sukkah, or can one use a tent? I don't know much about this, so please forgive any obvious missteps. Are there foods, in particular, most eat? I believe she has a calendar and what various parts of the time period represent. What online resources might you suggest?

Chadrho said:

What online resources might you suggest?

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Hebrew4Christians is a good resource in general

Rabbi Russ Reznik cofounder of the UMJC always has the traditional Messianic Jewish expression of the feasts

FFOZ is always a good Messianic Jewish resource for many people

As is myjewishlearning and don't forget Chabad for the orthodox guide to the Jewish holidays.

TreWalker said:

Hebrew4Christians is a good resource in general

Rabbi Russ Reznik cofounder of the UMJC always has the traditional Messianic Jewish expression of the feasts

FFOZ is always a good Messianic Jewish resource for many people

As is myjewishlearning and don't forget Chabad for the orthodox guide to the Jewish holidays.

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These are fantastic, thank you. Just from what I looked at, I'm already getting the sense that a tent isn't the route to take. Building the Sukkah looks integral to the experience of remembering God's providence and care. Even Rabbi Reznik says the Sukkah is supposed to be makeshift and flimsy.

Chadrho said:

These are fantastic, thank you. Just from what I looked at, I'm already getting the sense that a tent isn't the route to take. Building the Sukkah looks integral to the experience of remembering God's providence and care. Even Rabbi Reznik says the Sukkah is supposed to be makeshift and flimsy.

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I believe this sentiment is to thwart discouragement, and lack of participation in those whose hut erecting skills lack experience, which naturally should improve over time.

The important thing here is to not let the lack of know how thwart you from attempting to observe the celebration.

Though some may begin with a pop up tent, the goal should be to evolve to a point where one goes out into the wilderness (such as the Myrtle forest in which I live), and construct a hut from scratch.

It should be relatively quick and simple, for time is of the essence, however expertise in technique should not be discouraged, meaning, it does not have to be flimsy, preferably able to withstand a gust of wind, and afford shelter from the rain.

The framework of the Native American T'P's is an excellent design which can be easily thatched, or quickly shingled with (palm) leaves.

The synagogues we’ve attended erect the Sukkot and everyone participates. There’s usually refreshments and fellowship afterwards.

@Laureate suggested Native American teepees. There are several examples and projects on Pinterest. Oftentimes they’re shown as play items for children.

Chadrho said:

Even Rabbi Reznik says the Sukkah is supposed to be makeshift and flimsy.

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And you are supposed to be able to see the stars so a solid roof is not a good idea.

Dave-W said:

And you are supposed to be able to see the stars so a solid roof is not a good idea.

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Yes, I noticed Rabbi Reznik mentioned it should not be built under trees, or anything that would prevent seeing the stars.

Side note: After I looked at the great resources offered on this thread I told my sister we should probably build one instead of using a tent. She is the one that really wants to observe, but I want to support her and so I asked if I could help. I also shared with her some of the other things I had learned from said resources, and she got all excited! She said, "So, you have been researching it? Cool!" So, yeah. That's a win for the brother.

Dave-W said:

And you are supposed to be able to see the stars so a solid roof is not a good idea.

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And how many stars are visible.
Ah,
Thoughts of a roofless temple

Though modern depictions of 'tepees' have been partialially represented.

Time and shape has not been lost on those who keep a certain tradition alive.
Number of poles, which direction the flap is opened as the days progress in season. Even how much the opening of the roof expands and contracts along the seasonal breath.

Then there are sacred traditions concerning turtles.

Blessings Always

pinacled said:

And how many stars are visible.
Ah,
Thoughts of a roofless temple

Though modern depictions of 'tepees' have been partialially represented.

Time and shape has not been lost on those who keep a certain tradition alive.
Number of poles, which direction the flap is opened as the days progress in season. Even how much the opening of the roof expands and contracts along the seasonal breath.

Then there are sacred traditions concerning turtles.

Blessings Always

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This would work for someone living on Turtle Island but not for a booth made according to Jehovah's instructions.
Per Chabad:
The sukkah needs to be covered with sechach—raw, unfinished vegetable matter. Common sukkah roof-coverings are: bamboo poles, evergreen branches, reeds, corn stalks, narrow strips (1×1 or 1×2) of unfinished lumber, or special sechach mats.

Rachel Rachel said:

This would work for someone living on Turtle Island but not for a booth made according to Jehovah's instructions.
Per Chabad:
The sukkah needs to be covered with sechach—raw, unfinished vegetable matter. Common sukkah roof-coverings are: bamboo poles, evergreen branches, reeds, corn stalks, narrow strips (1×1 or 1×2) of unfinished lumber, or special sechach mats.

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Would you enjoy the leaves of healing like the shade of rain formed in a cloud of praise.
For those that sow to the wind and have seen the morning dew with color upon each droplet of water.
Sow to the wind and consider washing in starlight every yr and yom.

Intracies woven in loving kindness are a wonderful treasurary to hold dear with friends.

Blessings Always

A gentle voice after sowing to the wind.

Exodus 24

Greengardener said:

I got the idea somewhere that this was an annual community camp out type of commemoration. Does anyone stay in those for the entire time, like a camp out? Or are they simply ceremonial and people sleep in their own homes as usual? As a gentile, how would I find the groups around me?

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Sukkot, Gentiles, and the Messianic Kingdom
Sukkot is a prophetic shadow of the coming kingdom of heaven.
by FFOZ

The sukkah is used mainly for prayers, meals and fellowship. We don't sleep in them. However some communities do have camp outs. But even then you have your own tent where you sleep and a communal tent for the prayers and the meals.

Here are a few good Messianic Jewish resources for locating a congregation in your area, and our beliefs and practices.

Congregation Directory - Messianic Times

Congregations — Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations

FFOZ Torah Club

Messianic Jewish Publishers & Resources

As a Gentile you are more than welcome in all our communities to participate.

Shabbat Shalom

pinacled said:

A gentle voice after sowing to the wind.

Exodus 24

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Truth lies in stone like water to a cloud.


Moshe went up onto the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. (A: Maftir) 16 The glory of Adonai stayed on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day he called to Moshe out of the cloud.