Sukkot. Shemini Atzerat And Simchat Torah. The Time of Our Rejoicing!

Transcription

1 Sukkot Shemini Atzerat And Simchat Torah The Time of Our Rejoicing! 1

2 Almost all of our festivals in Judaism relate back to the Exodus from Egypt in one way or another, and Sukkot is no exception. The Exodus is truly the foundation stone of Judaism, and the true beginning of the Jewish Nation s worship of El Elyon (the Most High). Sukkot is designed to be a reminder of the years we wandered in the desert and lived in Booths. According to all natural laws, they should have perished, but were instead divinely protected by God. Prophetically, Sukkot is the festival that teaches on the Messianic Kingdom and the JOY of the kingdom. 1 In the wilderness, their covering was the cloud by day, a spiritual chuppah symbolizing their protection by their bridegroom, the Most High God. Remember, the Torah given on Mount Sinai during this time period was their ketubah or marriage contract, further cementing this image of a heavenly chuppah. In our sukkah, we are reminded of that heavenly chuppah as we look up through our sukkahs, which are not accidently, much like a chuppah. On our annual camping trip with the congregation, dwelling under the open sky and the full moon, I often truly feel what is may have been like in some small way to be totally dependent upon God s largesse as they wandered through the wilderness. It is always nice to know though, that it is for a finite period, and not forty years! Arlene Rossen Cardozo put it so nicely Recognizing ties with the nomadic life of old; recalling our wanderings both through the desert and the Diaspora; and realizing the impermanence of man, of our lives and location are all important today.we relive the event each fall by building and using a temporary dwelling for eight days. 2 1 Edward Chumney, the Seven Festival of the Messiah, Treasure House Publishers, Arlene Rossen Cardozo, Jewish Family Celebrations, St, Martin s Press,

3 During Temple Times This was THE festival of the year! Those who couldn t make other festivals often could this one because their harvests were complete. Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims who constructed sukkahs all over the city to sleep in and celebrate in! It is said that the population could increase almost overnight a hundredfold, and the Temple was the center point of all the festivities with trumpets blowing, animal sacrifices, morning water libation ceremonies, and the nightly simchat bet hacho evah a torch dance ceremony in which the great menorahs set up for just this festival were lit, using wicks made from the old priestly garments. The light from these menorahs lit up all of Jerusalem! We will explore more on each of these beautiful traditions as we move along. A Remembrance of Wandering in the Wilderness A large part of Sukkot is camping (in our tradition) or building a sukkah (in Jewish tradition) with a roof open enough that the stars can be seen, yet covered with a material called sekhakh, so that the inside has more shade than sun. Traditionally, this material should grow from the ground, be cut down (no longer connected to the ground) and not be subject to animal impurity, like animal skins. Technically, as long as it is a temporary dwelling, it should be fine. Many people use tents for this purpose when camping, some even attend conferences and stay in hotels, which are temporary dwellings for them. It all depends upon how traditional you desire to be. The sukkah symbolizes man s dependence upon God for his provision of food, water and shelter. This is also true of the spiritual realm, the booth symbolizing the body, which is a temporary dwelling for our souls and spirits (1 Cor 6:19-20). Similarly, we need the food that God provides, (Mt 4:4, 6:11, Jn 6:33-35) the cleansing that the word of God provides (Eph 5:26) the shelter of protection over our lives that protects us from the Evil one (Mat 6:13, 3

4 Ps. 91). We also read of this joyous practice in Nehemiah 8: The roof of the sukkah loses leaves throughout the week, increasing our visual connection to God as the sky becomes more and more visible. Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, we experience a small taste of the hardship, fellowship and yes, even joy as they depended upon God wholly for their care. Sukkah decorations Traditional sukkahs are begun at the end of Yom Kippur, even if you only drive one nail, to symbolize our anticipation of this very special time apart with God. As we noted above, a sukkah has three sides, one side open and is covered on top with natural cut material. Some sukkahs are sided with fabric, some with corn stalks, branches or what have you. I have even seen very artful ones built of pallets! Traditional sukkahs are decorated with gourds, fruit, handmade items by the children, pictures, etc. Some people sleep in them, especially in Israel and bring our their furniture to do so. Everyone who puts them up does so to at least eat their festival meals in and invite friends over to celebrate with them. They can be very elaborate or very simple, wither one fulfils the commandment found in Lev. 23:42- Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths As you can see from scriptures, unlike most commandments, not everyone is required to keep this commandment. However, since it is one of the most fun commandments most believers do on one level or another! Since my family goes camping with our congregation during this time, I highly decorate my table in the camp with lanterns candles and white fairy lights, with my Lulav and etrogs as the centerpiece of the table. Ushpizin The inviting of exalted guests! Traditionally, each night you invite a special personage into your sukkah. They are: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, 4

5 Joseph, Moses, Aaron and David, one for each night. I imagine they are busy fellows during this time of year. Similarly, it is traditional to invite your neighbors and friends to enjoy an evening with you in your sukkah to spread the joy! As believers, it is a wonderful time to share our faith with those who have none. This event can show them that belief in Messiah can be joyous and fun, as well as life changing. It is also a great way to show them Messiah in the Sukkot, which we will explore further on. There is a lovely movie about Sukkot in Israel called Ushpizin, it is well worth dealing with the subtitles to watch it! Sukkot and Yeshua s Birthday This next section may step on some toes, if it does, I apologize. John 1:14 tells us: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Strongs Number 4637 tells us more about the word Dwelt in Greek: skenoo {skay-no'-o} dwell, 1) to fix one's tabernacle, have, one's tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle. 2) to dwell. So, was John hinting that he not only dwelt in a tabernacle, but was born at that time? I believe so. Interestingly, our point is proven about the meaning of this word in Rev. 21:3: and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Tabernacle in this sentence is also Skanoo, Just like in John 1:14. John s writing is very precise, and I believe that he chose that particular word for a reason. Thus we can know when Yeshua was born, and stop attributing December 25th to Him. 5

6 I once told a story when some of my friends were defending their celebrating of Christmas in front of me, knowing I did not. In the course of the conversation, I confided that I needed their help as I was very angry with my husband. Of course, they were immediately all ears! I began: Yesterday, my husband made me so mad that I am still having trouble getting over it. He cannot understand why I am so mad! We were sitting at the table, and he proclaimed that he was going to start celebrating my birthday on his ex-wife s birthday, because, having been married to her for 20 years, it is easier for him to remember than my birthday, since we had only been married a few years. For a moment, you could have heard a pin drop, then bedlam! I cannot believe. He actually said that to you? Did you clobber him? I would have! Cacophony broke out! They were incensed, as well they should have been. I let them go on expressing their rage at my insensitive husband for a few minutes. Then I confessed. Ladies, My husband did not say that to me, I told you that to make an important point. December 25th is a pagan celebration of the winter solstice, a day to honor pagan gods, specifically, the sun. In celebrating Christmas, or Yeshua s birthday on that day, you are celebrating your Redeemer s birthday on the birthday of your former god. You could have heard a pin drop in the room. The ladies slowly melted away without another word. I believe it is fairly clear that Yeshua s birthday was the first day of Tabernacles. I also believe that we have another strong hint to that fact. Tabernacles is an eight day festival, culminated on Shemini Atzerat. Which we will talk about more in a few minutes, but consider this briefly: Jewish baby boys are circumcised on the eighth day. Which means that Messiah would have been circumcised on Shemini Atzerat, yet another of God s holy Moadim. We can also count his birth to Sukkot by considering when Zechariah s promised son would be born. (Luke 9:1-10) Zechariah was burning incense in the holy place during the course of Abijah. If you count ahead to John s birth, who was an Elijah figure, you can see that he would have 6

7 been born at Pesach (Passover). Importantly, during the Passover seder, we go to the door and call for Elijah to join us. Because Miriam s pregnancy lagged 6 months behind Elizabeth s, as we are told in Luke 1:26, Messiahs Birth would have occurred 6 months later at sukkot. Interestingly, this puts Messiah s conception during Chanukah, which is also quite significant, and which we will discuss further when we study Chanukah. Let s examine the word manger the object in which we are told Mary laid Yeshua. The Greek word for manger is Phat ne and is also translated as stall. Remember when Jacob traveled to sukkoth and made sukkotstalls for his cattle? (Gen 33:17) There are close parallels hinting here to tie to sukkot in Messiah s birth. During the feast of Sukkot, all men are required to travel to Jerusalem to make an offering. Bethlehem, Joseph s birthplace is only four miles from Jerusalem. Though he went Bethlehem to fulfil the census, it was only a short walk to fulfill the pilgrimage festival of sukkot as well. The prophet Hosea tells us that the Messiah will come as the former and the latter rain upon the earth (Hos. 6:3) Messiah came in the fall, which heralds the beginning of the rainy season, and died in the spring, the end of the rainy season. He will also return again in the fall, heralding again the rains. The Timing of Sukkot Beginning on the fifteenth of the seventh month, this Chag Adonai (Festival of God) would last seven days, the first day is a sacred occasion when no work was to be done. The intermediate days: the 16-21st of the seventh month, work may be done, and we are to rejoice in our Sukkahs! The seventh month falls consistently in the Autumn, most usually in September through October. Other names and Idioms 7

8 "Chag HaAsif (the Festival of Ingathering) was to take place once the produce of the vineyards and product of the threshing rooms was collected. Most notably, this is the time of the gathering of the Olives and grapes. The toil of the harvest is over, the graineries, wine vats and Olive presses are full, our future is assured. (Exo.23:14-17; 34:22). The Season of our Joy/ the time of our rejoicing/ Zeman Simchatenuthe time of repentance has passed with Yom Kippur, we have the assurance that our sins are forgiven and we trust God for a joyous new year. The fast is over, the feast begins! Interestingly, when we consider that Sukkot is Messiah s birthday, which we will explore more later, the name season of our Joy takes on new significance. The angel Gabriel told Miriam, Yeshua s mother : Behold I bring your good tiding of great Joy, which shall be to all people! The statement encompasses both the names: season of our Joy, and the feast of the nations. (Luke 2:10) The Feast of the nations- which we will expand upon in discussing the 70 bullocks for the nations offered during sukkot as we go further. All nations will come to celebrate Tabernacles in the millennial kingdom. Zec. 14:16-18 If they do not they will get no rain, and as Randy says, if they are stubborn it won t last but a few years! The Festival of dedication- King Solomon dedicated the Temple during the feast of sukkot. (1 Kings 8) Festival of lights- In the court of the women there are four giant menorahs set up during sukkot. They were each fifty cubits high (about 75 feet tall). These menorahs had four bowls, and four young men of priestly descent would climb a ladder to each of the four bowls and fill them with 7 ½ gallons of pure oil. The wicks, made of the worn out liturgical robes of the priests were then inserted, and lit. It is said that the light that emanated from them was so bright that there was no courtyard in Jerusalem that was not lit by them. (Sukkah 5:3 [Talmud]) Pious men and the Sanhedrin would dance about them far into the night 8

9 holding torches and singing psalms of praise! In our booklet about Chanukah we will discuss its connection to this particular aspect of Sukkot. In non-jewish circles, such as the Church of God, it is known as Tabernacles or the Feast. Commandments and Traditions The Lulav- The Israelites were to take the 'product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook' (later called the four species) and rejoice with them before God. (Lev. 23:40) It is believed that the four species may represent the following, although it s actual meaning may be lost to antiquity: a) The palm- being tall represents those of power and influence. b) The etrog- being aromatic, persons of saintliness and learning. c) The Myrtle- the average men and women of a community. d) The willow- representing the poor and lowly. Each of us different, yet together mutually responsible for the welfare and good name of the whole. 3 The three branches are held in the right hand, and the fruit (Etrog) in the left, they are brought together in front of the person, and waved: East, south, west, north, up and down. Since the branches are the part that is waved the most, it is called waving of the lulav. During a service, those who have a lulav parade around the room going around the rest of the congregation, the cantor leads the procession and recites the Hoshanah prayers asking for blessings upon the fruit and 3 Arlene Rossen Cardoza, Jewish Family Celebrations. St. Martin s Press,

10 land of Israel.In addition, some Messianics have adopted an additional tradition: during the waving of the lulav, the fruit (etrog) represents the non-believers, or non-jewish believers. As it is waved, it is turned right side up and joined to the lulav, representing our marriage into the covenant, for before we met God we were upside down, but now after having intimate knowledge of Him, we are now right-side up! Lulav Processional- Each day of the Feast of Sukkot, the priestly procession would march around the altar one time, waving the lulav branches and shouting praises to God. But on the seventh day of the Feast, this circling procession was done seven times -- instead of just once! At the conclusion of the seventh circle, they struck the willows on the ground around the altar. The 70 Bullocks- During the Feast of Tabernacles there is a series of offerings which begin on the first day with thirteen bullocks on the fifteenth of Tishri. Each day the offering decreases by one through the seven days of Tabernacles. The last day there are seven. Thus the total number of bullocks offered that week are seventy. This is found in Numbers chapter twenty-nine. The Rabbis have always understood that these offerings were made for the nations, and thus there are seventy. To prove this theory we observe in the book of Zechariah that all nations are to bring an offering during the feast of Tabernacles: Zec 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 10

11 The seventy bulls correspond to the seventy original nations that were descended from Noah and his sons and who were the ancestors of all the nations of the world. The connection of all nations with the Feast of Tabernacles is clearly pointed out in the prophecy of Zechariah. We read that during the millennial reign of the Messiah, after He has established the Kingdom of God in the Earth, that all nations will come up to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles! Hoshanna Rabbah, the water pouring ceremony and Yeshua Interestingly the translation for Hoshannah Rabbah is save now! it is the seventh and last day of Sukkot, a festival in itself. Each day of sukkot there is a water processional from the Gihon spring at the pool of Siloam, to the Temple mount with pitchers of water drawn from the spring, and poured over the altar. But on Hoshanah Rabbah, the Altar is circled seven times with the pitchers instead of once. And the willows are beaten in the air, imagine the sound that made! This is an occasion of great joy! The people line the road from the Gihon to the Temple mount, a road I have walked in Jerusalem myself, underground at the old City dig with the cries of the celebrants ringing off of the rocks in my imagination. The Priests led the processional from the spring with branches of palms 25 feet long, lock stepping together in a carefully orchestrated pattern. At the spring, the High Priest would draw the living water in a golden vase, and his assistant would carry a silver flagon of wine. Edward Chumney notes that the branches of palms swishing would sound like the wind, the Ruach, and symbolize the Holy Spirit coming upon the Jerusalem. The trumpets are blown as they approach the gate, and the Peirced one (a flute player, for his instrument is pierced, and we recognize as representing the Messiah) takes over leading the procession. It is said that even the staid sages were filled with such joy that they juggled torches, and did somersaults along the way! The processional enters the Temple and circles the Altar 11

12 seven times. At this time, the priests who were slaying the sacrifices lay the sacrifices upon the altar fires. At this point everyone begins singing oo shaltim mayim b sason, mi man-ay ha Yeshua! (and with Joy you shall draw water from the fountains of salvation!) Remember, Salvation in Hebrew is Yeshua! At this point, the crowd hushes, to hear the water and wine splash onto the corners of the altar as the priests pour it. With this action, they are beseeching God to provide the rains for the coming growing season, which was essential to life in Israel. At this point, those priests carrying willows begin to stand them against the foundation of the altar. The New testament tells us of this event as well, but most Christians, who do not understand this ceremony or know little about it, entirely miss the context of the story! On The last day- usually lumped in with Sukkot, we read in the Gospel of John that Yeshua went up to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem (John 7:1-9). Then, about the middle of the Feast, He went up to the Temple, and taught the people. Picture it, the Mayim song has died down, a great hush descends and everyone stands holding their breath straining to hear the water splash upon the corner of the altar.and "Yeshua stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water...' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39). The "last day," the "great day of the Feast," was Hoshana Rabbah! It was the seventh or last day of the Feast of Tabernacles! Jesus therefore made this statement, about the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, on the last day of the Feast of Sukkot -- picturing the Day of Final Salvation, the Day of Great Salvation, and the Great White Throne Judgment. Can you imagine the reaction? Rain was a prominent feature of Sukkot and the daily water pouring ceremony. In an agricultural society without the ability for much mechanical irrigation, it was essential to petition God for the annual 12

13 rains. However, there is also a deeper richer meaning. The outpouring of the water on the altar also symbolizes the outpouring of the Ruach HaChodesh, the Holy Spirit. Even the Talmud makes the connection: why is the name of it called the drawing out of water? Because of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, according to it is said: with joy you shall draw out of the wells of salvation (Is. 12:3) Only Joyful! Concerning the Feast of Sukkot, the Bible states, vehayita ach same'ach -- that is, "and you shall remain ONLY JOYFUL" (Deut.16:14, 15). In the King James Version, we read in verse 14, "thou shalt rejoice," and in verse 15, "thou shalt surely rejoice." The command "you shall rejoice" is literally "you shall remain joyful." This turns the attitude of rejoicing into the permanent trait of joyfulness in your personality. The words "nothing but joy" means that this joyfulness in your character and personality must persist, even under the most dire circumstances or duress of trials and disappointments in life. Thus, the Feast of Sukkot pictures our moving from faithlessness to believing, from joyless to being joy-filled, from spiritual shakiness to spiritual strength, solid confidence and security. The Feast of Sukkot is a time to solidify and strengthen the spiritual CHANGES that God is working in our nature -- putting on the New Man in Christ, and putting off the Old Man with the lusts and sins of the flesh! The fact that we celebrate together, as a congregation all of our Lords feasts, reminds us that we are in this spiritual struggle and fight together -- we need each other -- and we must help one another! 4 Shemini Atzerat and Simchat Torah Shemini Atzerat is the eighth day of assembly. The day after the last day of Sukkot is a holy day on which no work is to be done. It is actually 4 Moises Guevara, Fort Livingood Magazine, Fall issue

14 a separate festival from sukkot, though most lump it together as part of sukkot in practice. The Rabbis teach us that it is an extra day to tarry with HaShem, rather than rushing back to daily life so quickly. In fact the word Atzeret is more commonly translated to tarry. What a beautiful way to think about it! This is the day on which Messiah would have been circumcised after the manner of scripture, eight days after His birth. It is on Shemini Atzerat that in Israel we say a special prayer for rain. The winter months are the rainy season, and if those rains do not come, it can be disastrous for the arid land of Israel. (I always prefer to wait a day in the US, because I like to pack up my camping stuff dry!) Simchat Torah follows Shemini Atzerat, and means to rejoice in the Torah. It is the day on which the Torah scroll is rolled back and the Torah teaching cycle begins again from Genesis. In fact, prior to rolling back the scroll a portion of Deuteronomy is read. This is usually the last few verses then the scroll is rolled back in a festive way, and the first few verses of Genesis are read, to symbolize that Torah study never ends! The Torah, like God Himself, is everlasting. We are told that Yeshua went to Mount of olives after the story of the water pouring ceremony, and returned to the temple to teach the people, it was likely on this day of rejoicing in the Torah that he did so. 14

15 Congregation Chiam B Derech 121 East Harrell Dr. Russellville, Ar (479)967-LIFE Info@chiambderech.com 15