Parasha (Weekly Torah Portion)

Parashat Sukkot

Barbara September 27, 2023

Lev. 22:26-23:44.

Num. 29:12-16.

Zech. 14:1-21.

Succoth – Feast of Tabernacles

The festival of Succoth commemorates G-d preserving us in the Sinai by, providing manna and water. We built booths to shelter ourselves.

In the time of the temple Jews came to Jerusalem on Succoth to offer a portion of the fruit of the land from the autumn harvest to G-d as a thank offering. After offering a part of this portion to G-d, the priests took the remaining portion of this offering for themselves. Thus, Succoth was originally an agricultural festival, and was originally known as “The Feast of Ingathering” (Exodus 23:16; 34:22). In Vayikra or Leviticus 23:33-34, it states: “G-d spoke to Moses, telling him to speak to the Israelites, as follows: The 15th of this seventh month shall be the festival of Succoth to G-d, (lasting) seven days.” Furthermore, in verse 42 and 43, it states: “seven days you are [to] live in booths. This is so that future generations will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am G-d your L-rd.” Thus, the festival of Succoth became a commemoration and reminder of the protection that G-d gave us in the Sinai Desert through shelter in the booths and the giving of food (“manna”) and water for sustenance.

"Are There Any Other Reasons for Celebrating Succoth?"

Yes. The beginning of Succoth is also a time of rejoicing after the sealing and ending of the judgment that was rendered by G-d five days earlier on Yom Kippur.

“Messianic Meanings"

The Sanctuary was the place where G-d wanted to dwell among us. The Torah states, “make a sanctuary for Me, that I will dwell among you” (Ex. 25:8). The Jewish prophet Isaiah was told that the Messiah would be called “Immanuel – God with us.” In John 1:14 it is written “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”