Shabbat Ha’azinu and Sukkot @ Bet David

We invite you to celebrate with us Shabbat and Sukkot.

Schedule for Shabbat Ha’azinu and Sukkot***

*** Please see separate schedule for all children and youth services and activities

Read more about our upcoming events in the AdKan: adkan-shabbat-ha-azinu-and-sukkot-2016

Sukkot

(Hebrew: סוכות‎‎ or סֻכּוֹת), commonly translated as Feast of Tabernacles, sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering. It is a biblical Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei, the fifth day after Yom Kippur. It is quite a drastic transition, from one of the most solemn holidays in our year to one of the most joyous. Sukkot is so unreservedly joyful that it is commonly referred to in Jewish prayer and literature as Z’man Simchateinu), the Season of our Rejoicing.

Throughout the week of Sukkot, meals are eaten in the sukkah and if possible to sleep there, although the requirement is waived in case of rain. On each day of the holiday it is mandatory to perform a waving ceremony with the Four Species (the Lulav and the Etrog.)

Blessing over the Arba Minim (Four Species)

One of the commandments of Sukkot is to take the arba minim (four species) and wave them each day of the holiday (traditionally not on Shabbat). This is normally done during morning services in synagogue, before the Hallel prayers, but you can do it also at home anytime during the day . Both customs are common and acceptable.

Stand facing the north (or whatever direction is toward Jerusalem from where you are).

Take the etrog in your left hand with the stem (green tip) up and the pitam (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.

After you recite the blessing, turn the etrog so the stem is down and the pitam is up. Be careful not to damage the pitam! With the lulav and etrog together, gently shake forward (north) three times, then pull the lulav and etrog back in front of your chest. Repeat this to the right (east), then over your right shoulder (south), then to the left (west), then up, then down.