The harvest holiday of Sukkot began Wednesday evening and this opens up a new opportunity to celebrate. Celebrate what? The harvest season, acts of kindness, and the meaning of home. If you’re not too familiar with Sukkot, the Cliffstein Notes version is this: For 40 years, our people wandered and wandered (no deals at Costco on a Magellan or Garmin??) and “miraculous clouds of glory” protected them for the harsh elements of the desert. Since then, we give a little shout out of thanks to G-d for making sure we’re okay and for powerful kindness.
It’s also an opportunity to salute human personalities and community. Sukkot is the time we bond together as a people so that each other’s unique personalities come together and are shared within the group. The message is that we all have something to give and, therefore, it is okay to take concurrently; that if we all contribute to the pot, we come out stronger and more inspired as a people. After all, Jewish togetherness and unity are central themes of the holiday of Sukkot. The four kinds of symbols — palm branch (lulav), two willows (aravot), a minimum of three myrtles (haddasim), and one citron (etrog) — represent four types of Jews with various levels of knowledge and observance. Bringing all these symbols together in blessing represents the unity of the Jewish people and nation. Those who celebrate Sukkot build a sukkah, which is a 3-walled temporary home, topped with branches and other organic materials to represent the autumnal harvest with spaces between to still be able to see the sky and its natural wonders. Jewish law tells its people to enjoy all sleeping and eating inside the sukkah as it is also a mitzvah.
Those observing Sukkot will take the etrog in one hand and all of the other items in the other hand and wave them in a prescribed set of directions while blessing the sukkah and giving thanks for the season. Of course, the directions and blessings have deep significance, but you may casually hear about “waving” or “shaking your lulav” during this time of year. For more detailed information, check out My Jewish Learning‘s site, which describes the ritual.
While the sukkah itself has ancient significance, as a modern Jew, you can enjoy your sukkah even though you’re not currently wandering the desert (if you are and you’re reading this, mazel tov on your awesome wi-fi conenction!). Invite your girlfriends over and have ladies night in the sukkah. Bring in some cushions and throw pillows, make cups of tea or pour some wine, and dish about the latest news with your inner circle of Carries, Charlottes, Samanthas, and Mirandas. A night “out” with the girls takes on a whole new meaning when you’re literally out — outside, under the great big sky. Lulavs and Louboutins: doesn’t get much girlier than that!
A sukkah can be a romantic place to be with your b’shert as well. With the stars peeking through the roof made of branches and leaves and cool breezes forcing you to cuddle to keep warm, you could enjoy a lovely night without the distractions of the TV, Facebook, and cell phones. Go back to the basics. Get back in touch with the foundation of your great romance. Snuggle together. Exchange kisses. Know that you and your partner are outside, in the nature, and carrying on a tradition that has been with our people for thousands of years. Love doesn’t get much sweeter than that.
And for today’s Friday Favorites, we leave you with our new favorite video that pays modern tribute to Sukkot and one of its famous symbols. We think you’ll lu-LOVE the good laughs you get when you watch! Happy Sukkot!
