Feast of Tabernacles: What is it?
Dr. Burris and his Leviticus and Hebrews class will be camping for three nights to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (FOT). The students were asked to organize an event to recognize this Jewish holiday, but what is it?
FOT, also known as Sukkot, is a celebration that honors God’s provision to the Israelites during their 40-year pilgrimage in the wilderness. Sukkot is a Hebrew word that translates to “booths” or “shelters”, which is a reference to the tents the Israelites slept in during their time in the wilderness (Posner).
The holiday is observed on the 15th day of the Hebrew month Tishri, which falls in October on the Gregorian calendar. This festival proceeds the other two pilgrimage festivals, Passover and Shavuot, and is five days after the Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur. During the festival, the Jews would build temporary sukkahs and dwell in them for seven days to remember the Israelites’ time in the wilderness. Additionally, thanksgiving was given for the harvest in recognition of God as the Provider. The Jewish men were commanded to come before the Lord at the temple during each of the three pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and FOT (What is the feast of Tabernacles?).
One tradition of FOT is “Taking of the Four Kinds”, which is a blessing where etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), three hadassim (myrtle twigs), and avarot (willow twigs) are waved in six different directions: “right, left, forward, up, down and backward.” (Posner). “The sages of the Midrash tell us that the Four Kinds represent the various personalities that comprise the community of Israel, whose intrinsic unity we emphasize on Sukkot.” (Posner).
FOT was a time for rest and rejoicing in the holy presence of God. Believers today celebrate FOT by building sukkahs, dwelling in the sukkahs, rejoicing, reading scripture, and spending time in fellowship (What is the feast of Tabernacles?). More information regarding FOT will be published throughout the week after Toccoa Falls College’s (TFC) recognition of the holiday.
The students of the Leviticus and Hebrews class will be hosting an on-campus event to celebrate Sukkot. Starting at 9PM, through October 21st-23rd, a camping trip at TFC’s pond will proceed feasting and fellowship. Leviticus 23 provides more context of FOT and other Jewish festivals.
References:
Menachem Posner. 13 facts about sukkot every jew should know - sukkot & simchat torah. (n.d.). https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4136798/jewish/13-Facts-About-Sukkot-Every-Jew-Should-Know.htm
Menachem Posner. What is sukkot? - A guide to the jewish holiday of sukkot, the feast of tabernacles, and the meanings behind it - chabad.org. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4784/jewish/What-Is-Sukkot.htm
What is the Feast of Tabernacles? bible story & meaning. Christianity.com. (n.d.). https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-the-feast-of-tabernacles-bible-story-and-christian-meaning.html