Sukkot- Feast of Tabernacles
Sukkot (Booths), or also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a feast of the L-rd that is established in the book of Leviticus 23.
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40 On the first day you are to take choice fruit, palm fronds, thick branches and river-willows, and celebrate in the presence of Adonai your God for seven days...42 You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra’el is to live in a sukkah, 43 so that generation after generation of you will know that I made the people of Isra’el live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am Adonai your God.’”
As the Torah commands, during this time we erect a sukkah, which is a temporary structure, where family and friends gather and remember that our ancestors, the children of Israel, lived in temporary dwellings during their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This is the seventh, and final feast of the spiritual year.
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The sukkah is not a strong, permanent structure. It is a hastily built dwelling, and during this time, meals are eaten inside this dwelling. It is composed of walls, and the roof is constructed with organic things like branches, leaves, and the like. It is not not be entirely closed off, so that those inside can look up to where our L-rd dwells. Likewise, because this is not a permanent structure, it is to remind us of our dependence upon the L-rd as our source for shelter.
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A common phrase to say during this time is "Chag Samech Sukkot" (Hag Sa-may-ack Sukkot), which means, Happy Sukkot. This is a joyous time, because being in the Sukkot reminds us that our sins are forgiven, from atonement of Yeshua (Jesus), and we will dwell with Him in the "Big Sukkah" in Heaven!
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The Four Species:
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The Feast of Sukkot is also known as the "Feast of Ingathering". This marks the end of the harvest year, as the produce of the land was gathered. During this time, as the Torah commands, we are to gather 4 species and celebrate in the presence of the L-rd. So what are these 4 species?
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We invite you to join us for Yom Teruah, Feast of Trumpets, this year. Come and experience this Biblically commanded Feast of the L-rd.
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Etrog - This is a lemon-like citrus fruit.
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Lulav - A ripe date palm frond.
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Hadas - Three myrtle branches.
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Aravah - Leafy willow tree.
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Places to get a Lulav and Etrog:
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During the time of Sukkot, again, is to be a joyous time. Our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and thus, we will be with him forever in the Tabernacle in Heaven! We then take the Lulav and wave it in the 4 directions to symbolize the all surrounding presence of our G-d and our Savior Yeshua Hamashiach. Prayers are recited and we give thanks unto our L-rd for sustaining us.
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Sukkot is a time awaiting prophetic fulfillment. There is coming a time where all of G-d's children will be "ingathered" to the city of Jerusalem to reign with Him on Earth. After the Great Tribulation, we will gather to celebrate Sukkot with Yeshua in the Holy City!
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Zechariah 14:
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"16 Finally, everyone remaining from all the nations that came to attack Yerushalayim will go up every year to worship the king, Adonai-Tzva’ot, and to keep the festival of Sukkot."
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Yeshua (Jesus) came to Tabernacle with us, as it says in the Book of John Chapter 1. He did this so that He could take away our sins, so that for eternity we can Tabernacle with Him. This is a wonderful time of year to remind us that as believers, we have His Promise that He will take us home to be with Him!
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How to build your Sukkah:
Sukkahs can be constructed out of just about anything. Wood, metal, PVC are all examples of how to build a frame for your sukkah. There are some examples pictured below on what sukkahs look like once all put together. Typically you will have 3-4 walls, usually made out of canvas, some use tarps, or bed sheets. For the roof, you can use palm branches, or other organic material like branches of trees. Since this will be your temporary home for the next 8 days, you will want to make sure that any organic materal you put as your roof is free from any insects, as you will be eating meals in here.
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Once you have your basic structure up, it is also customary to decorate it, just like you would a home. Many people put up lights, hanging fruit, as well as decorate the walls with Bible verses or scenes from the stories of the Torah, such as the Exodus from Egypt.
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Some people use a tent, or a canopy, and then decorate it. Feel free to use these as well.