There are several annual holidays for an array of religions to celebrate, but Sukkot is one of the most sacred festivals to the Jewish people. Traditionally celebrated five days after Yom Kippur, the 2012 Sukkot goes from September 30 to October 27. Originating as an agricultural festival from the time of Jewish farmers, the basic meaning of this holiday is to express gratitude for the Fall harvest. Several traditional practices are associated with this holiday, including the building of a booth or hut by practitioners of the Jewish religion. In fact, the word “Sukkot” itself can be defined as a “booth or hut.” As knowledge of these practices is important to all those who wish to be ordained as interfaith ministers in the Universal Life Church, this article will examine the traditional building of these booths or huts, as well as the holiday’s links to other celebrations from different religions.
The building of a booth or hut is one of the most common ways to commemorate Sukkot. Another term for the booth or hut that must be built is “sukkah.” The most basic rules to build such a hut are to include a minimum of three walls with a superstructure, along with a fourth wall that is open. The walls can be constructed from basically any reasonably stable material. The roof itself should be built with a temporary use in mind, only using objects such as loose tree branches or similar items. The roof covering has two purpose: to give shade and to allow those residing in the sukkah to see the nighttime stars through the roof. The use of a sukkah is quite unique for Jews. The basic Sukkot tradition states that one family must enter the sukkah and recite specific prayers over a meal.
Although the building of a sukkah is the most common way of celebrating Sukkot, there are a few other methods of celebration. A typical Sukkot custom is to extend extra hospitality, particularly to those in monetary need. Thus, it is a common occurrence for Jewish people to invite people outside of their immediate family for a holiday meal. Hospitality to guests and the building of a sukkah are the two most important methods of celebration for Sukkot.
Regardless of if one is Jewish, Pagan or Christian, a lot of values can certainly be taken from this special holiday. As those to be ordained in the Universal Life Church are comprised of many religions, it is of the utmost importance to have at least basic knowledge of the traditions of other religions. There are several holidays from other faith that can be compared to Sukkot, including the Pagan holiday, Mabon. Both holidays are a time for Fall harvest and reflection on one’s life. The American tradition of Thanksgiving can be linked to Sukkot, as it is a celebration of the Fall harvest as well. Sukkot is a beloved holiday by those of the Jewish faith, thus it is relevant to any individual who wishes to learn about other faiths.