Friday Sabbath: Sukkot

(from www.keshertalk.com)

Today is the final day in the seven-day observance of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The basic story behind the holiday involves the trek of the early Hebrews across the Sinai desert to find the Holy Land. During this long and dangerous journey, it was said that Gd sent cloudy skies to protect His people from the harsh climate.

Jewish people celebrate this holiday by constructing a temporary house outdoors, a sukkah. This hut of sorts is constructed in such a way that the people inside should be able to look up and see the sky through a roof of spaced out branches, lights, fabric, or what have you. There are a few specific, traditional measurements to the structure and there's usually a preference to four walls, though many of these huts have three. This sukkah must be built again every year... it's not the sort of thing you should leave out in the garage all year. Part of the ceremony is to put it together again or reinvent it for the needs of the moment... each year is different.

The idea is to have all the meals out in this sukkah. Unlike most Jewish holidays, there is no traditional menu... other than kreplach to be served today, the seventh day of Sukkot. It's basically pasta dough filled with ground beef or chicken and then rolled into triangles. The triangles can then be boiled and served in soup or fried as a side dish of dumplings.

There's an element of getting people back in touch with the outdoors, of dealing with the weather. After all, the instruction is to build a hut with a leaky roof. So, even though you have protection (your branches on the top are meant to represent Gd's divine intervention with the "clouds of glory") you're still going to get wet if it rains. Now, the Talmud is not completely unreasonable... it commands that once it's truly uncomfortable, you should go inside to your solid roof. It's not an endurance issue... the point is to understand that things aren't going to be perfect on the journey, but it does not mean that we have been abandoned.

The huts mimic what the Hebrews must have made for themselves along the journey. In a way, this holiday speaks to the ability to find shelter and survive any trip. Perhaps it's a gift to be asked to rebuild this little house every year so that, if you find yourself in a bad position, you can either build your shelter or be resourceful enough to not be left out in the cold.

I appreciate that this holiday occurs during the harvest season... when, around this region, it's starting to get comfortable enough to sit outside. The food available is warm and comforting. It's also a beautiful excuse to get the family together and shake up the scenery a little. Though I was not raised Jewish, it puts me in mind of things I would have loved to do with my family. I remember a few breakfasts outside with everyone... Mom has this outdoor dining set with a lazy Susan in the center of the table on which to place the jams, creamer, butter, rolls, etc. On that same set, we've had a few dinners together with friends for random celebrations. From one or two of the comfy chairs, one can see a patch of sky. If you sit still long enough, the outdoor light will turn off and you can see some stars. Daddy, Mom, and I have sat there to observe meteors and chat with a glass of wine... these are among my best memories of living at home with my folks.

I live in an apartment, so, no sukkah building for me this year, but perhaps after work I'll get a drink and sit outside in honor of Sukkot... a holiday on which to feel less alone surrounded by family, or nature, and the stars...

(from www.moderntribe.com)