Tidbits on Sukkot & Pilgrimage Holidays
Tidbits from Torah Study This week:
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All of the 'pilgrimage holidays' relate to the growing seasons. Sukkot at the end of the harvest, Pesach at the beginning of the growing season (the sacrifice of the barley) and Shavuot (sacrifice of wheat) the first fruits. All happen on the 15th of the Hebrew month which is the FULL MOON - better to travel by.
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Sukkot is a contrast.
They have finished gathering the harvest, the coffers are full. And the Torah prescribes that we "Live in booths". The booths are temporary structures and not as sturdy as a reminder that we were once homeless and wandering and God was our shelter.
The discussion about the celebration of Sukkot suggested various reasons for the contrast:
- We should be grateful for what we have and appreciate those who don't have.
- Things are temporary. We need to remember that we may need 'pick up and go' and we can't take good fortune and being settled for granted.
- Even if it is not a good year for the harvest we must celebrate and rejoice.
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On "rejoicing " or not to "rejoice" at festivals.
Pesach - the Torah does not tell us to rejoice. 'do no rejoice at another's downfall' or as the Proverb states "Rejoice not when your enemy falls". (I still wonder about that with the story of Purim)
Sukkot - the Torah says two times that we are to "rejoice" at the end of the harvest. You should have "no worries for 7 days"
SRHirsch - "Keep joyfullness within you throughout life, that it can become part of your character." Rashi - also noted that we are demanded to rejoice... (didn't get all the quote)
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Book Reference by R. Marder
Blessings of a Skinned Knee - Information
Sukkot Links:
Basics of Sukkot
Holidays.net
Building a Sukkah
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All of the 'pilgrimage holidays' relate to the growing seasons. Sukkot at the end of the harvest, Pesach at the beginning of the growing season (the sacrifice of the barley) and Shavuot (sacrifice of wheat) the first fruits. All happen on the 15th of the Hebrew month which is the FULL MOON - better to travel by.
-----------
Sukkot is a contrast.
They have finished gathering the harvest, the coffers are full. And the Torah prescribes that we "Live in booths". The booths are temporary structures and not as sturdy as a reminder that we were once homeless and wandering and God was our shelter.
The discussion about the celebration of Sukkot suggested various reasons for the contrast:
- We should be grateful for what we have and appreciate those who don't have.
- Things are temporary. We need to remember that we may need 'pick up and go' and we can't take good fortune and being settled for granted.
- Even if it is not a good year for the harvest we must celebrate and rejoice.
----------
On "rejoicing " or not to "rejoice" at festivals.
Pesach - the Torah does not tell us to rejoice. 'do no rejoice at another's downfall' or as the Proverb states "Rejoice not when your enemy falls". (I still wonder about that with the story of Purim)
Sukkot - the Torah says two times that we are to "rejoice" at the end of the harvest. You should have "no worries for 7 days"
SRHirsch - "Keep joyfullness within you throughout life, that it can become part of your character." Rashi - also noted that we are demanded to rejoice... (didn't get all the quote)
-----------
Book Reference by R. Marder
Blessings of a Skinned Knee - Information
Sukkot Links:
Basics of Sukkot
Holidays.net
Building a Sukkah
posted by Chavarah @ 7:25 AM
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