|
SukkotSpecie
The
first month of the Jewish year (Tishrei) is also the busiest month
of the Jewish year. Immediately following Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
is the week-long holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of the
Tabernacles. Called in the liturgy Zman Simchatainu, the time of
our rejoicing,
Now that the Jewish people have repented on Yom Kippur and, hopefully,
received Divine forgiveness, Sukkot follows as the time for celebrating
G-d's presence in the world. By living in temporary dwellings and
taking the four species (the two primary mitzvot of Sukkot) Jews
acknowledge that G-d provides for our physical needs as well as
our spiritual needs.
During the week of Sukkot, when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, 70
oxen were sacrificed. The rabbis taught that these 70 oxen represent
the original 70 nations of the world. The priests offered sin offerings
for the nations, invoking a desire for universal atonement, peace
and harmony. Sukkot, therefore, is actually a truly universal holiday.
The holiday, however, does not end abruptly since G-d commanded
that an eighth day be added which will also be Yom Tov, a festival
day, specifically for the Jewish people. This holiday, known as
Sh'mini Atzeret, the Gathering of the Eighth, is seen as the holiday
which demonstrates G-d's especial love for the Jewish people - comparable
to a host asking his/her best friend to stay after everyone else
has left, in order to share a private moment.
|
