Sukkot 2024

On the first day, you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows, and other leafy trees—

 Leviticus 23;40 

Lulav: This is a palm branch, which is one of the four species. The Lulav is typically bound together with branches of myrtle and willow. These branches are waved during the festival as part of the celebration.

Etrog: This is a citron fruit, which is another of the four species. The Etrog is held together with the Lulav during the waving ceremony.

The use of these items is based on Leviticus 23:40, which instructs the Israelites to take "the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook" and rejoice before the Lord during the festival. The Lulav and Etrog are traditional interpretations of these instructions and are used in Jewish practice to fulfill this commandment.

On Friday evening, we attended Sukkot at the local synagogue. We arrived early to help and I met a charming 97-year-old named Evelyn, who shared memories of growing up in Chicago and attending Temple during the High Holy Days. I also connected with another woman originally from San Francisco like me, and we ended up talking long after most had left, enjoying the beautiful harvest moon under the Sukkah. It was a wonderful evening.

We had a light vegetarian dinner since it's a dairy kitchen and no meat is allowed. I was glad to have read that on their website!

It is a beautiful experience to step outside the Christian bubble and meet new people in the community. 

 I think Jesus was pleased, 

and we've made new friends!

1. Lulav: This is a palm branch, which is one of the four species. The Lulav is typically bound together with branches of myrtle and willow. These branches are waved during the festival as part of the celebration.

2. Etrog: This is a citron fruit, which is another of the four species. The Etrog is held together with the Lulav during the waving ceremony.

The use of these items is based on Leviticus 23:40, which instructs the Israelites "to take the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook" and rejoice before the Lord during the festival. The Lulav and Etrog are traditional interpretations of these instructions used in Jewish practice to fulfill this commandment.

Opinion:

It's frustrating and sad how the early Church Fathers chose to exclude significant elements of Christianity's Jewish roots. This decision aimed to distance the new faith from its origins, resulting in a diminished understanding of our Jewish Savior. As a result, a wealth of cultural and religious heritage was overlooked, which could have enriched us, and fostered a better understanding of our shared history with our Jewish brothers and sisters and perhaps the past would have taken a better turn. 

 Zechariah 14:16-19 speaks of a future time when all nations must go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Nations that fail to participate will suffer from a lack of rain. 

Finally, 

Sukkot celebrates God's provision and presence -  foreshadowing the fulfillment of His promises in the end times. Revelation 21:3 highlights God's dwelling with humanity, reflecting Sukkot's themes.