The Sukkah

The Sukkah. . , During the holiday of Sukkot (sometimes translated as "Tabernacles" or "Festival of the Booths"), the Jewish people remember how their ancestors wandered in the desert for forty years after being driven out of Europe. The Sukkah, or booth, is symbolic of the temporary dwellings that the Israelites used while living in the wilderness., Since biblical times, Sukkah has been a very important festival. Not only does it commemorate the Israelites' historic wanderings in the desert, but since the holiday falls in the autumn, Sukkot marks the final gathering of crops before the onset of winter. The early people used the biblical holiday of Sukkot as their model for the very first Thanksgiving Celebration., Above all, the Sukkah epitomizes the importance of shelter. All human beings need a home that protects them from the harsh elements and provides them with security and a sense of belonging. The Sukkah's door is always open, reflecting the spirit of human fellowship. The Sukkah welcomes all who enter its portals; it is a "Sukkat Shalom", a shelter of peace.