Explain the origins, practice and observance of Succot, include the particular significance of the 1st, 7th, 8th and 9th days and the religious teachings upon which they are based.

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Aliya Hussain 12TSH

Explain the origins, practice and observance of Succot, include the particular significance of the 1st, 7th, 8th and 9th days and the religious teachings upon which they are based.

Succot is the last of the three Pilgrim festivals which is a deliberate reminder of the Jewish people depending on God. It takes place in the 15th of Tisheri (late September to late October); this festival lasts for seven days. ‘Succah’ is the singular for ‘Succot’ and it means huts, booths or tabernacles. This festival originated from the period when ancient Israelites had no permanent home or shelter and lived in temporary huts, in Hebrew known as Succah. This was during their long journey after the Exodus from Egypt in which the Jewish people dwelt for forty years. At harvest time the Jewish people built Succots in fields to protect them from the hot sun, so this festival also commemorates the thanks giving of harvest.  Like Pesah, Succot attempts to recreate the conditions of the past to make it the present. In the Leviticus 23:42 ‘You shall dwell in Sukkot seven days…in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in Succot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the Lord your God’. Therefore this festival is set down by the book of Leviticus and it commemorates the years the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the promise land (Canaan), and celebrates the way in which God protected them under difficult desert conditions.

During Succah there are many practices and rituals which take place. Depending on which Jewish group you belong to there are different practices, but in general most Jewish people share the same practice. According to Halakha (Jewish law) you can build the walls of Succah from wood, canvas, aluminium, plaster or regular walls of glass. Also the Succah can be made free standing or it can include one or two walls of a building. The roof of the Succah has to be made from organic material that is detached from the grounds, this includes Palm fronds, and bamboo and wood are the common types of material used. A very important factor is that the amount of shade that can exceed must be the same as the amount of sunlight allowed to enter. Some families might put up white a sheet which signifies the clouds of glory of Jewish nation living in 40 years. Others may make their Succah more comfortable by putting in chairs, fans and table. The purpose of this is to try to stay in the Succah for as long as they can, to experience the conditions their ancestors went through.

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The less reformed Jewish people would build their Succah at their homes whereas as other Jewish people may build it in the synagogue. The synagogue offers Jewish people to build their Succah and the Rabbi’s take part in a service. A minority of Jewish people would build their Succah outside the synagogue. Some Jewish people in Israel would sleep in their Succah. Depending on different Mitzvah some Jewish people do not do this because of the climate they live in. The experience of living in a Succot should remind Jewish people of their historical identity. The overall message is ...

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