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Jerusalem is a place you might want to visit during the week-long celebration of Succoth/Feast of the Tabernacles. Succoth is a festive holiday: biblical, colourful and full of symbolism that reflects the celebration of the annual harvest and at the same time the fragility and impermanence of wandering and dwelling for 40 years in the desert, between fleeing pharaonic Egypt, faith in God and crossing the Jordan River into the promised land.
The Hebrew succoth is translated into English as tabernacle, makeshift dwelling or booth. During the week-long festival, Jerusalem is dotted with makeshift, colourful and decorated booths on verandahs and grass verges where the residents dine and even sleep.
General festive foods are eaten as usual in honor of the festival, but special blessings are reserved for the Succoth and ‘the four species’.
The four species are lulav (date palm branch), hadas (myrtle), aravah (willow) and etrog (citron). These four species are combined in one’s hands and blessed several times during daily prayer for the week of Succoth. The four species are symbolic of man’s relationship to God and best left to an esoteric philosophical debate among those that think they know. The four species and the Succoth itself are the central symbolisms of this festival.
In Jerusalem there is a very animated four-species market up near the central markets of Machane Yehuda that is well worth a visit. The market itself principally sells the four species and decorations for the Succoth. The perfume of the citron as you enter the market is enveloping and delightful. Religious folk examine the items, searching for unblemished perfection. Money changes hands in not-insignificant sums when perfection or near enough to it is found.
Succoth is one of the three biblical pilgrimage festivals. In ancient days the devout would come from afar to make offerings and pray at the Jewish temple that stood on Mount Moriah until Romans destroyed it in 70 AD. Today Jews and many Christians throng the streets of both old and new Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of Succoth.
Succoth Samayach (happy Succoth) from Jerusalem.
