Succoth is the Jewish Harvest Festival. It begins on
the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. It is usually held
in September and October. The celebration lasts for 7 days.
Succoth traditions and customs have both historical and
religious significance. This festival dates back to the period
during which Hebrews wandered in the wilderness on route to Canaan (now
Israel). During their pilgrimage, they lived in temporary booths. This
open living space is called a succah. People also gathered in sukkot
(pleural for succah) to worship and share meals. Thus, Succoth is also
called the Feast of Tabernacle. During harvest time, farmers also
lived in sukkot in open fields. During Succoth, farmers take this time
to thank God for the crops.
Today, modern Jewish communities continue the traditions
of building sukkot and holding festivities inside them. For kids
who love camping in the outdoor, this is a lot of fun. The roof of a
succah is built with olive and other tree branches. The branches
are decorated with fruits and flowers. Three sides of the succah
are covered with blue and gold fabric. For those who need some
help, you can also buy a complete succah kit.
During Succoth, a special ceremony is held each day to remember Hebrew
ancestors and to thank God for the harvest. Families gather for meals
and sleep inside them as well.
Israel
is often called the Holy Land, where many religious groups have fought
to claim the right to this sacred part of the world. Israel is
rich in history and religious traditions. The main religion is
Judaism. Hebrew is the official language, although many Israelis speak
English as well. Palestinians live in certain parts of
Israel. In those regions, the culture is influenced by
Islamic followers and the language is Arab.