Damon Kaplan and his daughter Pilar assemble the shafts supporting the walls, building a sukkah in Yonkers. Photo (c) Robert Kalfus 2024
By Robert Kalfus
Building a sukkah in Yonkers. The Jewish holiday began on Wednesday evening at sunset and continues for 7 days.
The Torah commands: “All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Israel.”
Every year in the Jewish month of Tishrei, Jews celebrate Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, for seven days. Jews build a hut, the sukkah, outside in full sunlight, which must have an unobstructed view of the sky, not overshadowed by tree branches or another structure. The sukkah must have at least two and a half walls and a roof made of branches and leaves. It is important that when inside the sukkah, one can still see the sky and be exposed to the elements, and at night, see the stars through the shach, the semi-porous bamboo material used to make the roof.
Jewish families have all their meals, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, seated inside the sukkah. Every day they shake the branches of the four different species of plants mentioned in the Torah: etrog, palm, myrtle and willow. Some people carry all their activities outside into the sukkah; studying outside and when Sukkot come earlier in the year, in warmer weather, even sleeping in the sukkah!
Sukkot commemorates the 40 years the Jewish people spent in the desert of their journey to Israel after escaping from slavery in Egypt. The sukkah is a reminder that only G-d is able to give a real sense of security and safety when “You shall dwell in booths for seven days”. Sukkot is a week long Jewish holiday celebrating the fall festival, one of the most joyful festivals in Judaism
People celebrate Sukkot by building a sukkah, decorating the sukkah, prayer, and celebrating with family and friends, inviting and hosting meals. It is a time to bring together family, friends and community.
