"`So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the L-RD for seven days; the first day is a day of rest, and the eighth day also is a day of rest. On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the L-RD your G-d for seven days.
Celebrate this as a festival to the L-RD for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in booths for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in booths so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the L-RD your G-d.' "
Leviticus 23:39-43, NIV
During the forty years in the wilderness, G-d's people did not have a permanent home. Instead of houses, Jews lived in temporary booths, or tabernacles, called sukkot (pronounced sue-COAT). When G-d's Spirit said it was time to move on, they packed up and relocated. Sukkot is a time to remember G-d's faithfulness to Israel during the wilderness experience, and His goodness in bringing them to a good land.
Celebration is made by making your own sukkah (singular of sukkot), or booth, to live in (or at least eat your meals under) for seven days. The sukkah is decorated with palm fronds, leafy branches, and fruit! You can set
up a sukkah in your yard, and sleep under the stars, or set up something in
your living room or bedrooms. You can build something elaborate, or just hang up some sheets, decorating with fall leaves and harvest. The idea is to remember G-d's provision. It is a joyous and fun celebration.
HOSHANAH RABAH
The last day of Sukkot is called Hoshanah Rabah, "The Day of the Great Hosanna". On this day, the people prayed for rain in the coming year, and the High Priest would pour water out on the foot of the altar, to show trust in G-d. The water also symbolized the Spirit of G-d. It was during Hoshanah Rabah that Jesus entered the Temple and said, "'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.' By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive." (John 7:37-39, NIV)
