Proper Way to Observe Sukkot

[mystic]

I have been looking at various youtube videos and reading may articles on how to observe Sukkot. I am seeing people doing it in different ways. One suggested hanging out with a group of friends in a cabin for 9 days, another going camping and another says one should "live" in a Sukkah. What is the proper but realistic way to do this? For example, we have a gazebo in the yard, can I use that as a Sukkah or is the requirement to build one? What happens when it rains, is it commanded to get rained on or endure whatever the weather condition is? Is it a festive occasion to "hang out" or holy observance?

[alon]

Oct 6, 2020 4:06:06 GMT -8 mystic said:

I have been looking at various youtube videos and reading may articles on how to observe Sukkot. I am seeing people doing it in different ways. Understand the details of observance are mostly traditional. That said, we know there is not necessarily anything wrong with tradition.  

One suggested hanging out with a group of friends in a cabin for 9 days, another going camping- Those are unequivocally wrong:

Leviticus 23:39-43 (ESV, excerpted, annotated) “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. (How does hanging out with friends or camping fit with these days of solemn rest? These are Shabbatoth.) 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. (Rejoice before the Lord, not commune with nature or yuk-it-up with friends.) You shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for seven days (Celebrate it as a feast to the Lord, not go camping with friends.) You shall dwell in booths for seven days. (Dwell in booths, Heb Sukkoth. So you are to build a temporary shelter and live in it for 7 days of the festival.) 

and another says one should "live" in a Sukkah. Reading above, that would be the correct answer. 

What is the proper but realistic way to do this? For example, we have a gazebo in the yard, can I use that as a Sukkah or is the requirement to build one?  You are to build a temporary shelter. Construction methods, materials, size, and design are up to you. Traditionally however there are guidelines: must be a livable space; must be enclosed on at least three sides; roof should be of leafy branches; you should be able to see the stars through gaps in the roof. Decorate s you like, keeping in mind this is a joyous festival. This by the way is another good example of "tradition" contributing to God's plan. The Magians (wise men) who visited Yeshua probably saw His star as they lay in their Sukkoth staring up through the leafy roofs.  

What happens when it rains, is it commanded to get rained on or endure whatever the weather condition is? As always, life and health take precedence. If the weather is too bad, you don't have to stay out in the sukkah. For example, if the nights are cold where you live, it is enough to just spend time in your sukkah during the day. Prayer time, time reading your Bible, eating one or more meals. Possibly have friends or family over to celebrate, sing praises to God, study or talk about Torah ... whatever as long as it is done to glorify God. And they don't even have to be Messianic believers to be invited over for this feast. So this is a great time to introduce others to your faith. 

Is it a festive occasion to "hang out" or holy observance? It is a holy observance, especially the first and eighth days which are holy convocations. Sukkot itself lasts 7 days ,and the 8th day is an extra, traditionally called "Shemeni Atzeret" and "Simchat Torah." Outside Israel most Jews celebrate these as 2 extra days, Shemeni Atzaret being the 8th Day and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in Torah) being the day our Torah readings schedule restarts at Genesis 1. However most Messianics just celebrate these on the same (8th) day. On the 1st day you are to wave the Lulav (common name for the "4 Species") facing all the cardinal directions. Rabbinical tradition says do this all 7 days, but not on the 8th as a commemoration of the Temple (now destroyed), where it was waved all 7 days.

You may not be able to keep all of these perfectly. For example, you may not be able to order a Lulav from Israel and pay shipping here. Or (particularly this year) you may not be able to invite others over to convocate or to celebrate. People living in an apartment may not be able to build a sukkah at all, though many with even a small balcony build a 1 or 2 person sukkah there. Just do the best you can.

Mine this year is landscaping ties laid between my patio roof and tool shed. The back wall of the sukkah is one wall of the shed. I tacked up some canvas on 2 sides about 4' up, and about 3' of colorful fabric above that with a 1' overlap. Branches are from a Mulberry tree close by, laid across the ties. Add a folding chair, a patio lounge chair that can fold down flat, and a TV tray stand with a drop light and I have a great place to fall asleep reading my Bible during the day. Nights are too cold here, so I go inside. I hope to make it a bit bigger and invite some people over next year.

Some people make their sukkoth on a PVC pipe frame with plastic tarps for walls and of course branches for a roof. Like I said, your imagination and resources will determine how you make yours. Have fun!

Dan C

[mystic]

Thanks for this great tutorial and info. God wiling, next year I will be able to do something along these lines.

I am wondering how people who live in apartments without a balcony might observe Sukkot?

[alon]

Oct 7, 2020 3:52:29 GMT -8 mystic said:

I am wondering how people who live in apartments without a balcony might observe Sukkot?

If there are other believers in their area they may make arrangements to spend some time with them in their sukkah. Or perhaps on the roof if their manager will allow it. They just have to get creative. Then again, sometimes all the creativity in the world and still nothing presents itself as a solution. Then they'd just have to keep it the best they can. But as with all the moedim, even when we cannot keep them as commanded we still mark the days somehow.

Dan C