Chag Succot (The Feast of Tabernacles) begins this evening at sundown.
I love Chag Succot, especially in Israel. The weather is ideal for
being outdoors. Many of the restaurants put succot in front of their
restaurants, even the non-kosher restaurants and the Arab restaurants
which enjoy both Arab and Jewish clientele. Not only do people eat in
their succot in Israel, many families sleep in them as well unafraid.
It is my favorite time of year. Eating in a succah makes eating and
drinking even the simplest fare festive and fun.
The month of Tishrei, the first month of the Jewish (lunar) calendar,
is the happiest time of year in Israel. We remember the Yom Kippur
war, it was exactly 30 years ago, but we continue to rejoice.
As it written in the HARVEST HYMN, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls: "The
Festival of our Peace. The fruit became plump due to the heavens and
the produce of the earth of living things, so we give thanks to your
Name forever. Blessed is the Lord Who causes us to rejoice, for that
is why You created us."
Notice, once again we see that eating and rejoicing are intimate
linked, as they are in all cultures. This seems to be universal,
among all People in all times and places. Why? What is behind
that? It is a very deep phenomenon. Let's look into it together.
It's more than my poor little head and heart can handle alone. LOL.
With blessings for all of you for many years filled with everything
that you need for your spiritual/moral development.
Hey, this is *not* meant to be a blog about Judaism alone. Please
contribute. The purpose of the group is to learn about the spiritual
dimension of eating from all traditions and perspectives.
Doreen
posted by Doreen Ellen Bell-Dotan, Tzfat @ 8:29 AM
<< Home