Following the Day of Atonement's me and mine will celebrate a week of Sukkot. This is known as the Festival of Booths or of Tabernacles. For a week we shall eat meals out of doors in temporary dwellings with no roof. The top is covered with Schach (fall vegetation) over our heads.

The origins and meanings of this holiday are manifold.

For four decades in the flight from slavery and journey to freedom during the time of Moses, we lived in temporary dwellings in the desert. Although freedom is the major them of Pesach (Passover) in the springtime, one theme of Sukkot is freedom. Freedom to worship as we wish, to live in our own culture, speak our own language, and work for ourselves, not as slaves (political and economic freedom). One reason why we have no roof is so we can see the stars. We direct our hearts, minds and souls upward to the Heavenly Father with all our might in such times. Ours, like so many religions and philosophies is one of gratitude for what we enjoy in this life. The good gifts of it.     

Fall is a harvest time. Agricultural workers pitched tents and other temporary dwellings to be closer to the fields, vines and orchards. This gave them more time to harvest before winter sets in. The days grow dark more rapidly in fall. Commuting takes time. Another theme of Sukkot is bountiful harvests, Foods to sustain us after the growing season ceases.

There is a natural rhythm to our, as to many other religious calendars. We are a part of nature. We should bond with it. We should rejoice in it. We should live in harmony and respect it. There are many Mitzvoth Ha Klauut (agricultural commandments). This is a time to give thanks for the foods which sustain us, and their Source.

For us, celebrating our freedom, our connection to this earth in our time here, the nurturing it gives us, and the good and responsible stewardship with which we can endow it are all a part of our festival of temporary homes.

Kindly share, in a positive, respectful, on-point manner. You need not trash what is important to others to make your point. This is not a referendum on any ideology, religion, or culture. This is a chance to share thoughts on the values in our homes which we cherish, including the home itself. Off topic, negative, disrespectful post will be summarily deleted for cause.

On what values do you pitch your tents?

Peace, Blessings and a Good Harvest of Values and Foods. Enoch.