This Year the Holidays of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah begin on Wednesday night October 16, at 6:00 pm (Philadelphia Time) – Ends on Friday, October 25th at Nightfall. Both the First and the Last Two Days of the Holiday lead directly into Shabbat. The first Shabbat ends, October 19th after Nightfall at 6:54 (Philadelphia Time). The second Shabbat ends Saturday, October 26th after Nightfall 6:45 pm (Philadelphia Time)
(In honor of Sukkot, please print BEFORE the Holiday begins -This Document contains G-d’s Name, therefore it may NOT be thrown out)
For more information visit: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4126/jewish/Sukkot-2024.htm and https://aish.com/sukkot
As soon as the solemn day of Yom Kippur is behind us, we focus on the traditions of the upcoming joyous holiday of Sukkot. We build a temporary house called Sukkah, which reminds us of the Clouds of Glory with which G-d surrounded the Jewish people in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt.
It is very special to experience a meal in a Sukkah and to ‘shake’ The Four Species (Lulav, Etrog, Aravot and Hadassim). You can also visit Chabad Locator – Chabad.org to find a synagogue near you where you can be accommodated.
Elevating the Mundane
When we do a mitzvah (a commandment), we elevate ourselves, the object with which we did the mitzvah, and our environment. Most commandments are focused only on limited aspects of our being and limited dimensions of our environment. However, when it comes to dwelling in a Sukkah, not only is the entire body enveloped by the mitzvah, but so are the most mundane aspects of life. After all, by eating, drinking or even reading a good book in the Sukkah, we perform a mitzvah that encompasses our entire body!
Before the 3-day Holiday:
Normally, it is forbidden to prepare food on a Holiday (Yom Tov) for use the next day. However, when Yom Tov falls out on Friday, one may prepare for Shabbat if he symbolically began the preparations before Yom Tov. This symbolic preparation is known as an eiruv tavshilin.
Every household must set aside one baked and one cooked item; usually an egg and a matzah/challah are used. The blessing of “al mitzvat eiruv” is recited and the items are held in the hand while saying the prescribed formula. One who forgot to prepare an eiruv tavshilin may still prepare for Shabbat if he lives in a city in which other Jews prepared them.
While standing, and holding the food in the right hand, say:
Baruch ata Ado-noi Elo-heinu melech ha-olam, Asher kid-shanu bi-mitzvo-tav, Vi-tzee-vanu al mitzvat eiruv.
Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us in the mitzvah of eiruv.
CANDLE LIGHING
Women (or if there isn’t a woman in the house, the head of the household) lights candles.
Please light from existing fire of a candle you light prior to the Holiday.
For exact times in your area go to: http://www.chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting_cdo/aid/6226/jewish/Shabbat-Candle-Lighting-Times.htm
On Wednesday October 16th, (6:00 pm Philadelphia Time) and Thursday, October 17th (after 6:57 pm Philadelphia Time) and on Wednesday October 23rd, (5:50 pm Philadelphia Time) and Thursday, October 24th (after 6:48 pm Philadelphia Time)
Say two prayers below:
1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam asher ki-deshanu be-mitzvo-tav ve-tzvi-vanu Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov
(Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of the Holiday.)
2 . Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh
(Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.)
On Friday, October 18th (at 5:58 pm Philadelphia Time) and Friday, October 25 (at 5:47 pm Philadelphia Time) say the prayer below:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam asher ki-deshanu be-mitzvo-tav ve-tzvi-vanu Lehadlik Ner Shel Shabath Kodesh.
(Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of Shabbath.
Evening Kiddush for both Wednesday and Thursday Nights
Evening Kiddush is recited while holding a cup of kosher wine or grape juice. (Challah should be on the table – covered)
On Wednesday October 16 and Thursday, October 17th,
as well as on Wednesday October 23 and Thursday, October 24, begin here:
Attention! our masters and our teachers: Blessed are You, Ado-noy our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessed are You, Ado-noy our God, King of the Universe, Who chose us from among all people, aand exalted us above all languages, and sanctified us with His commandments. And [You] gave us Ado-noy, our God, in love appointed festivals for gladness, festivals and times for joy.
On October 16 and 17: Succos the time of our gladness
On October 23 and 24: the eighth day, this festival of assembly, the time of our gladness
a day of holy assembly commemorating the exodus from Mitzrayim. For us have You chosen and us have You sanctified from among all peoples; and Your word is true and enduring forever Blessed are You Ado-noy, King over all the earth, Sanctifier of Yisrael and festive seasons. Blessed are You, Ado-noy, our God, King of the Universe Who has kept us alive and sustained us and brought us to this season.
On October 16th and 17th:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam Asher Kideshanu Bemitzvotav Vetzivanu Leshev Basukkah.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to sit in the Sukkah.
On all days:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh
(Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.)
Pour some wine into a separate cup for guests and then drink the rest yourself without talking.
Friday Night Kiddush (October 18th and 25th)
Part 1 : (Quietly: Va-ye-hee erev, va-ye-hee voker.) Yom Ha-shishi. Va-ye-chulu hasha-mayim vi-ha-aretz vi-kole tzi-va-am. Va-yichal Elohim ba-yom hashe-vi’i milach-to asher asa. Va-yish-bose ba-yome hashe-vi’I mi-kole milach-to asher asa. Va-ye-varech Elohim es yom hashe-vi’i va-yi-kadesh oso. Kee voe shavas mi-kole milach-toe asher bara Elohim la-a-sose.
(Quietly: It was evening, and it was morning.) The sixth day. So the heavens and the earth were finished, with all their complement. On the seventh day, God had completed His work which He had undertaken, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had been doing. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He ceased from all His creative work, which God had brought into being to fulfill its purpose.
Part 2: Savri maranan ve-rabanan ve-rabosai: Baruch ata Adonoy, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei peri ha-gafen. (Others respond: “Amen”)
Blessed are You God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. (Others respond: “Amen”)
Part 3: Baruch ata Adonoy, Elo-heinu melech ha-Olam, asher kidish-anu bi-mitz-vosav vi-ratza vanu, vi-Shabbos kod-sho bi-ahava uv-ratzon hin-chi-lanu, zikaron lima-aseh vi-raishis. Ki hu yom ti-chila li-mikra-ay kodesh, zay-cher li-tzi-as mitz-rayim. Ki vanu vachar-ta vi-osanu kidash-ta mikol ha-amim. Vi-shabbos kod-shicha bi-ahava uv-ratzon hinchal-tanu. Baruch ata Adonoy, mi-kadesh ha-shabbos. (“Amen”)
Blessed are You God, King of the Universe, who made us holy with his commandments and favored us, and gave us His holy Shabbat, in love and favor, to be our heritage, as a reminder of the Creation. It is the foremost day of the holy festivals marking the Exodus from Egypt. For out of all the nations You chose us and made us holy, and You gave us Your holy Shabbat, in love and favor, as our heritage. Blessed are you God, Who sanctifies Shabbat. (“Amen”)
On October 18th only add:
Part 4: Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam Asher Kideshanu Bemitzvotav Vetzivanu Leshev Basukkah.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to sit in the Sukkah.
Pour some wine into a separate cup for guests and then drink the rest yourself without talking.
Washing for Bread
Immediately following the kiddush, we perform the ritual washing for bread. Fill a large cup with water. Pass the cup to your left hand and pour three times over your right hand. Repeat by pouring on your left hand. As you wipe your hands recite the blessing:
Baruch atah A-donoy, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to wash hands.)
When everyone has returned to the table, we raise the two challah loaves and recite the blessing:
Ba-ruch atah A-do-nay, E-lo-hei-nu Melech Ha-Olam, hamotzie le-chem min ha-are-tz.
(Blessed are You, L-rd, our G‑d, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.)
Cut the challah, dip it in honey and salt, and have a bite. Pass around pieces and make sure everyone does the same.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF SUKKOT
What You Need to Know About Waving the Lulav And Etrog – Chabad.org
On Sukkot there is a special Mitzvah to dwell in special hut called a Sukkah. Therefore, one should eat and if one is able to even sleep in this holy abode.
A Sukkah is a hut built to provide shade. That’s why it must sit beneath the open sky—not under a patio deck or even the branches of a tree. The walls can be made of any material, as long as they are secure and don’t flap about in the wind. The roof, however, (we call it s’chach), must be of unprocessed materials which have grown from the ground. Bamboo poles, thin wooden slats, and evergreen branches are popular choices. We make sure to use enough s’chach so that the inside of the sukkah has more shade than sunlight.
On Sukkot, along with the mitzvah of dwelling in the Sukkah comes the Scriptural obligation of “taking” the Four Species as instructed by the verse, “On the first day, you must take for yourself a fruit of the citron tree, an unopened palm frond, myrtle branches and willows of the brook.”
We SHAKE the Four species on all days of Sukkot except for Shabbat, October 18 and 25. Last time to shake is before Sunset on October 24
The Four Species are co-dependent, and if one of the four is missing, the mitzvah is not fulfilled. In total, seven individual items are required for the mitzvah:
1. One Lulav
2. One Etrog
3. Two Aravot
4. Three Hadassim
Why are these four plants used instead of other plants? There are two primary explanations of the symbolic significance of these plants: that they represent different parts of the body, or that they represent different kinds of Jews.
According to the first interpretation, the long straight palm branch represents the spine. The myrtle leaf, which is a small oval, represents the eye. The willow leaf, a long oval, represents the mouth, and the Etrog fruit represents the heart.
All of these parts have the potential to be used for sin but should join together in the performance of commandments and bring Divine Light into the world.
According to the second interpretation, the Etrog, which has both a pleasing taste and a pleasing scent, represents Jews who have achieved both knowledge of Torah and performance of mitzvot (commandments). The palm branch, which produces tasty fruit, but has no scent, represents Jews who have knowledge of Torah but are lacking in mitzvot. The myrtle leaf, which has a strong scent but no taste, represents Jews who perform mitzvot but have little knowledge of Torah. The willow, which has neither taste nor scent, represents Jews who have no knowledge of Torah and do not perform the mitzvot.
We bring all four of these species together on Sukkot to remind us that every one of these four kinds of Jews is important, and that we must all be united.
The Blessing for the Four Species
| Take the etrog in your left hand with the stem (green tip) up and the pitom (brown tip) down. Take the lulav (including the palm, myrtle and willow branches bound together) in your right hand. Bring your hands together and recite the blessing below. |
| Barukh atah A-do-nai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam asher kidishanu b’mitz’votav v’tzivanu al n’tilat lulav (Amein) Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to take up the lulav (Amen) First Day Only Add: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh. Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign king of the universe who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season (Amen) After you recite the blessing, turn the etrog so the stem is down and the pitom is up. (Be careful not to damage the pitom). With the lulav and etrog together, gently shake forward (East) three times, then pull the lulav and etrog back in front of your chest. Repeat this to the right (South), then over your right shoulder (West), then to the left (North), then up, then down. |
Seven Guests
Sukkah generates an intense concentration of spiritual energy. During Sukkot the souls of the seven great leaders of Israel –Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and King David – actually leave Heavenly realm to partake in the Divine Light of Sukkot. Collectively these transcendent guests are known as Ushpizin, the Aramaic word meaning “guests.”
Each of the seven Ushpizin correspond to a fundamental spiritual pathway through which the world is perfected
- Abraham represents love and kindness
- Isaac represents restraint and personal strength
- Jacob represents beauty and truth
- Moses represents eternality and dominance through Torah
- Aaron represents empathy and receptivity to divine splendor
- Joseph represents holiness and the spiritual foundation
- David represents the establishment of the kingdom of Heaven on Earth
We can connect to these energies and learn from our great leaders.
Simchat Torah
Sukkot is the only holiday that really encompasses two holidays: Seven days of Sukkot and 2 Days of Shemini Atzeret [upon which we celebrate Simchat Torah on the second day].
These final two days begin at sundown on October 24th (after 5:50 Philadelphia Time) until nightfall on October 25th. The Last Two Days of the Holiday lead directly into Shabbat that ends Saturday, October 26th Nightfall (6:45 pm Philadelphia Time)
On this final day, it is customary to conclude and then immediately begin the annual cycle of Torah reading.
The highlight of this holiday is the boisterous singing and dancing in the synagogue, as the Torah scrolls are paraded in circles around.
Although the eighth day follows Sukkot, it is actually an independent holiday in many respects (we no longer take the Four Kinds or dwell in the sukkah). Jews outside of Israel still eat in the sukkah on the first of the two days of Shmini Atzeres.
The intermediate days (October 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 until sundown at 5:50 pm) are quasi holidays, known as Chol Hamoed.
One is permitted to drive and use electricity but should still act in ways fitting for a Holiday.
Water and Joy
On Sukkot, G‑d determines how much rain will fall that winter (the rainy season in Israel). Thus while every sacrifice in the Temple included wine libations poured over the altar, on Sukkot, water was also poured over the altar in a special ceremony. This ritual engendered such joy that it was celebrated with music, dancing and singing all night long. This celebration was called was “Simchat Beit Hasho’evah.”
Even today, when there is no Temple, it is customary to hold nightly celebrations that include singing and dancing (and even live music during the intermediate days of the holiday).
Inspirational Story
As we begin the New Year, we are humbled by the realization how dependent we are on our Creator. As we sit in the Sukkah during the Holiday of Sukkot, we are meant to ponder upon just how fragile our lives really are and how appreciative we must be of getting a gift of another year of Life. As the following true story illustrates.
Had this not happened to me I would never have believed it. I was driving my smart car one day in Borough Park in New York and for those of you that don’t know, a smart car is small and lightweight car. I stopped at a red light, but I was daydreaming and when it became green, I did not start driving right away. The driver in the car behind me – let’s call him Mr. Lexus – was very impatient and started honking his horn. As I started driving down the next block Mr. Lexus started to tailgate me and was overall acting in a very aggressive manner. Not wanting to be harassed I pulled over to the side and let Mr. Lexus move in front of me.
As we came to the very next intersection the light was green, and the Mr. Lexus rightfully proceeded to enter the intersection. When he was in middle the intersection a tow truck driving at 50 mph ran a red light and T-boned Mr. Lexus. The impact flipped Mr. Lexus’s car and send it tumbling over forty feet. Had I not moved over to let Mr. Lexus pass me, then I would have been in the intersection, and a driver of a smart car does not survive when a tow truck hits it at 50 mph.
All of this started with the little detail of me having a daydream in my car. I guess what I am trying to say is that we sometimes have this idea that G-d is busy with the big issues of the world, the natural disasters, the climate change, and geopolitics. This story showed me that G-d is also involved in our day-to-day lives, and even a small detail like me getting harassed by an aggressive driver, was all part of a plan that was ultimately for my best. I came out of this not only shaken up because I almost lost my life but because I realized how precious and fragile life is. Enjoy every moment!
For a 2 minute video of Sukkot please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoTMrJ8yUWM&feature=youtu.be