The Festival of Tabernacles
The Festival of Tabernacles is a special time of the year that our family looks forward to every year. This week-long event is called the “season of our joy.” It celebrates God’s miraculous provision for the Children of Israel during their forty-year trek through the wilderness. The weather has usually just transitioned, leaving behind most of the heat of summer and getting into some cool days and cooler nights. And it follows on the heels of two of the most somber festivals on the biblical calendar: Rosh Hashanah (Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Although the Bible normally calls this holiday, “Tabernacles” (or “Sukkot” in Hebrew), it sometimes refers to it as the “Festival of Ingathering.” This is because it was a time when the wheat processing was truly complete, including the threshing, winnowing, and sifting that took place months after the wheat harvest was finished.
This year, Sukkot will begin Monday, October 10. Sort of. As do all biblical festivals, it actually starts at sundown the night before. It lasts for seven days (eight if you count the special “eighth day gathering” at the end — see Leviticus 23:36). It is a great time to be with your family and friends to celebrate what God has done in your lives. Here are two themes of Sukkot, along with some traditions that go along with them.
The Sukkah
Sukkot is a time to remember the LORD’s provision in our lives. Scripture tells us, “You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 23:42–43).
Just before Sukkot, it is customary to build a sukkah (a temporary shelter) as a reminder that the Children of Israel could not live in permanent structures while wandering in the wilderness. The sukkah should be made as a temporary structure that can be put up and taken down, rather than being some kind of permanent fixture in your yard. There are certain requirements that go along with the building of a sukkah, but one shouldn’t worry about those types of things when getting started. One of the more important ones, however, is that the roof should be built of foliage that allows a few stars to be seen through it at night. Traditionally, during the week-long holiday, we eat each of our meals in it. If you’re hard-core, you could even sleep in it all week.
Another more recent tradition among Messianics is to go camping. Although it’s not how Sukkot is traditionally observed, it is more doable for many, and it does help reinforce the main theme of the holiday. And it’s fun for the family and can create some deep connections with children. Through it all, the sukkah reminds us that we are “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) in this life. We are on a journey toward our permanent home where we will continually be in God’s presence.
Lulav and Etrog
God commanded His people to bring specific types of produce before Him and rejoice in His presence. Leviticus 23:40 says,
“And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”
These are traditionally identified as the etrog (or citron), a closed frond of the date palm, a willow branch, and a myrtle branch. These four items are called arba minim, literally “four species.” However, they are commonly referred to as “lulav and etrog” because of the prominence these two items play out of the four. They are generally sold together as a set with a wide price range to choose from. These four species represent four types of people based on the particular traits of each.
The date palm has no fragrance, but it does have taste in the form of dates. The myrtle has a pleasant fragrance, but no taste. The willow has neither taste nor fragrance. The etrog, however, has both fragrance and taste. In these, taste represents the study of the Scripture while smell represents the fulfillment of the Scripture. We are to strive to be like the etrog – knowing and living out the Word of God in our lives.
Conclusion
What has God done in your life? In your family? What has He done for your parents and grandparents? Sukkot (Tabernacles) is a wonderful time to celebrate God’s care for the Children of Israel, while also remembering His sustenance, provision, and protection for you and your family. It’s the season of our joy! Let’s celebrate!
Darren Huckey, Emet HaTorah
