Sukkot/Tabernacles - Traditional Hebraic Perspective
Tabernacles (Sukkot)—Leviticus 23:34 reads, “The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.”
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work. Seven days ye shall bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD; on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD; it is a day of solemn assembly; ye shall do no manner of servile work. These are the appointed seasons of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt-offering, and a meal-offering, a sacrifice, and drink-offerings, each on its own day; beside the Sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill-offerings, which ye give unto the LORD. Howbeit on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruits of the land, ye shall keep the feast of the LORD seven days; on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your G_D seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year; it is a statute forever in your generations; ye shall keep it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are home-born in Israel shall dwell in booths; that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your G_D. And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the appointed seasons of the LORD. (Leviticus 23:33-44)
Thou shall keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress. And thou shall rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Seven days shall thou keep a feast unto the LORD thy G_D in the place which the LORD shall choose; because the LORD thy G_D shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the work of thy hands, and thou shall be altogether joyful. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy G_D in the place which he shall choose; on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the feast of weeks, and on the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty; every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy G_D which he hath given thee. (Deuteronomy 16:13-17)
In traditional Hebraic thought G_D wanted Israel to celebrate the fact that he provided shelter and protection for the Israelites in the wilderness. During this festival the Hebrews were commanded to live in “huts” (or tabernacles) as a sign that G_D dwelt amongst them when they lived in the wilderness. Each year on Tabernacles, devout believers build little shelters or “booths” (sukkot) outside their houses and worship in them. Primarily Sukkot teaches us that G_D continually dwells in the midst of his people—even when they are in the “wilderness.” he will never leave us or forsake us.
In traditional Hebraic thought Sukkot is a Mo’ed of great joy … a time of basking in the goodness and blessings of G_D. Sukkot consequently memorializes forever the unique relationship that Israel has with G_D … a relationship wherein the chosen people Israel, alone among nations, not only receive the benevolence and special blessings of G_D but are graced with the very presence of G_D Most High.
As we can see as well from the Scriptures provided herein Sukkot is also a commemoration of the fruits of Israel’s own hands … the bounty which is to be freely enjoyed and shared by all of Israel during this appointed time and at the appointed place.
Certainly it would appear than that Sukkot like Yom Habikkurim and Shavu’ot are land/inheritance centric festivals. But assuredly Sukkot, like the other Mo’adim and pilgrimage events, has broader and richer meaningfulness.
Because Sukkot is specifically declared to be an appointed time that deals with G_D’s blessing and his dwelling amidst the Israelites, it would seem intuitively obvious that we seek greater meaning in this Mo’ed within the auspices of the Ohel Mo’ed … The Tent of Meeting … the Mishkan … G_D’s dwelling place.
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Speak unto the children of Israel, that they take for me an offering; of every man whose heart makes him willing ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them: gold, and silver, and brass; and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair; and rams' skins dyed red, and sealskins, and acacia-wood; oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it. …
And Moses spoke unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: 'This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying: Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD, whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, the LORD'S offering: … And let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded: the tabernacle, its tent, and its covering, its clasps, and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; the ark, and the staves thereof, the ark-cover, and the veil of the screen; the table, and its staves, and all its vessels, and the showbread; the candlestick also for the light, and its vessels, and its lamps, and the oil for the light; and the altar of incense, and its staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; the altar of burnt-offering, with its grating of brass, its staves, and all its vessels, the laver and its base; the hangings of the court, the pillars thereof, and their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; the pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords; the plaited garments, for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.' And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and brought the LORD'S offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service thereof, and for the holy garments. … And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted …
And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the Tent, and all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets; … According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. And Moses saw all the work, and, behold, they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it. And Moses blessed them …
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'On the first day of the first month shall thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. And thou shall put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shall screen the ark with the veil. … And thou shall put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. And thou shall bring his sons, and put tunics upon them. And thou shall anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office; and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.' Thus did Moses; according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he. …
And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. And Moses reared up the tabernacle … that Moses and Aaron and his sons might wash their hands and their feet thereat; when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they should wash; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. …
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle (Exodus)
And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet: 'Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD dwells under curtains.' And Nathan said unto David: 'Do all that is in thy heart; for G_D is with thee.' And it came to pass the same night, that the word of G_D came to Nathan, saying: 'Go and tell David my servant: Thus says the LORD: Thou shall not build me a house to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, unto this day; but have [gone] from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle [to another]. In all places wherein I have walked among all Israel, spoke I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying: Why have ye not built me a house of cedar? Now therefore thus shall thou say unto my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou should be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with thee whithersoever thou went, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee; and I will make thee a name, like unto the name of the great ones that are in the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be disquieted no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them anymore, as at the first, even from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all thine enemies. Moreover I tell thee that the LORD will build thee a house. And it shall come to pass, when thy days are fulfilled that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will set up thy seed after thee, who shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to me for a son; and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee; but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.' According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. (1 Chronicles 17:1-15)
And G_D gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. … And there came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom. … 'Thou knows how that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his G_D for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of my feet. But now the LORD my G_D hath given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary, nor evil occurrence. And, behold, I purpose to build a house for the name of the LORD my G_D, as the LORD spoke unto David my father, saying: Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build the house for my name. …
And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying: 'As for this house which thou art building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute mine ordinances, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I establish my word with thee, which I spoke unto David thy father; in that I will dwell therein among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.' …
So was he seven years in building it. And Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. …
Thus all the work that king Solomon wrought in the house of the LORD was finished. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated, the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD. …
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast, in the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; even these did the priests and the Levites bring up. And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto its place, … There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt. …
Then spoke Solomon: I have surely built Thee a house of habitation, a place for Thee to dwell in forever. And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel; and all the congregation of Israel stood. And he said: 'Blessed be the LORD, the G_D of Israel, who spoke with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying: Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be there; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the G_D of Israel. But the LORD said unto David my father: Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart; nevertheless thou shall not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name. And the LORD hath established his word that he spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the G_D of Israel. And there have I set a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.' And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven; and he said: 'O LORD, the G_D of Israel, there is no G_D like Thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keeps covenant and mercy with Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their heart; who hast kept with Thy servant David my father that which Thou didst promise him; yea, Thou spoke with Thy mouth, and has fulfilled it with Thy hand, as it is this day. And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven. And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying: 'Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised; there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our G_D be with us, as he was with our fathers; let him not leave us, nor forsake us; that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our G_D day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as every day shall require; that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD, he is G_D; there is none else. …
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD'S house. And all the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD was upon the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and prostrated themselves, and gave thanks unto the LORD; 'for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.' And the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the LORD. … So the king and all the people dedicated the house of G_D. And the priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the king had made, to give thanks unto the LORD, for his mercy endures forever, with the praises of David by their hand; and the priests sounded trumpets over against them; and all Israel stood. … So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the Brook of Egypt. And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away unto their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. … And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him: 'I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, upon whom my name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attentive, unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that my name may be there forever; and mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and mine ordinances; then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I covenanted with David thy father, saying: There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. And this house, which is so high, every one that passes by it shall be astonished, and shall say: Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? And they shall answer: Because they forsook the LORD, the G_D of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them; therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.' (1 Kings & 2 Chronicles)
Yet again a Mo’ed covered by the great might and power of G_D … yet again another Holy Mo’ed wrapped within the glory of a spectacular event provided by G_D … but … this time the event is not associated with a great judgment or wondrous work. This time the glory of the event is manifest simply in the very presence of G_D amidst his people. This time the great event is G_D tangibly manifesting himself amongst Israel wherein the people need not be afraid!
Interestingly enough we see in the building of the Tent Of Meeting where the people of Israel are thoroughly involved in the great project. From the willing and heartfelt donations offered for the Mishkan’s construction … all the way through to the physical work in painstakingly constructing every aspect of the Mishkan according to the instructions given through Moshe.
But … we should also recognize that despite the sanctity and glory of the Tent of Meeting, it was to give way to a permanent and glorious House for G_D to be built by the son of David in Jerusalem … the Holy Place where G_D would set his NAME for HIS glory and the glory of his people Israel. Sadly of course Solomon rebelled against G_D and became idolatrous on behalf of his many foreign wives resulting in G_D punishing Solomon and Israel for this betrayal.
Regarding the construction and dedication of the Mishkan … in both scenarios however the ultimate gift and wonder, the presence of G_D, was manifested amongst the people Israel. It would seem apparent that these two Mishkan construction projects were met with the approval of G_D. It would seem apparent that G_D was well pleased on both occasions with the servitude of his people Israel. It would seem apparent that these two Mishkan projects are related and present us with a pattern that perhaps begs for closer inspection. Let us then compare these two Mishkan construction events to see if there is greater insight and context to be realized.
We can see from the brief comparison provided, not surprisingly, that there is assuredly differences between the Mishkan dynamic related to the temporary Tent of Meeting versus the intended to be Eternal Mishkan built by Solomon … Son of David.
Despite these apparent nuances … and the fact that the Tent of Meeting was essentially integrated into Solomon’s Temple, there is little that we can conclude at this point in our review except to state that the permanent Mishkan to be built by the Son of David is assuredly the superior Temple that better represents the glory of G_D and his chosen people Israel! We should also make note that this pattern of Mishkan construction in all probability is meaningful and perhaps later in this review these nuances will manifest more insight and meaning.
In any event what we can gather thus far is that Sukkot in a traditional Hebraic perspective is most certainly a Mo’ed with very special meaning and appeal for Israel. With respects to Sukkot there is even much tradition that likens the “Sukkah” (the temporary dwelling booths of Israelites) to the Wedding Chuppah seen herein below:
As we look at these structures it should be obvious why parallels are made. On one hand the Sukkah connotes the union of people with G_D while the Chuppah naturally connotes the union between husband and wife. Additionally there are numerous passages and pointers within the Tanakh wherein G_D likens Israel to his betrothed. Sadly Israel is most often rebuked for playing the harlot but G_D is also clear that Israel will never be husbandless forever … HE will take back his most cherished possession.
Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into singing, O mountains; for the LORD hath comforted his people, and hath compassion upon his afflicted. … Yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. … Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, says the LORD, thou shall surely clothe thee with them all as with an ornament, and gird thyself with them, like a bride. …
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my G_D; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of victory, as a bridegroom puts on a priestly diadem, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth her growth, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the LORD G_D will cause victory and glory to spring forth before all the nations. …
Thou shall no more be termed Forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate; but thou shall be called, my delight is in her, and thy land, Espoused; for the LORD delights in thee, and thy land shall be espoused. For as a young man espouses a virgin, so shall thy sons espouse thee; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall thy G_D rejoice over thee. (Isaiah)
It is hoped that the growing relevance and importance of Sukkot in a traditional Hebraic perspective is beginning to manifest. And beloveds we are not done with the traditional Hebraic perspective. You see it’s not just about Israel … but all of G_D’s people from all the nations.
Earlier within this work the sacrificial offerings related to the Mo’adim were briefly touched upon … see herein below:
As we can see the sacrificial offerings for Sukkot are quite extensive and unique amongst all of the Mo’adim. Over thousands of years Jewish tradition has reasoned that the intensity of sacrificial offerings associated with Sukkot is meaningful with respects to Israel’s intercession and guidance of the nations in accordance with the terms of the Everlasting Covenant.
Tradition holds that the double offerings of Rams and Lambs represent the picture of offerings made for both Israel and the Nations of the Earth. Additionally the seventy bulls (the sacrifice of headship/authority) are representative of the seventy nations declared in the Tanakh. We should see a grand picture of intercession by Israel on behalf of all of G_D’s children. Consequently it would appear that even within traditional Jewish religious thought the idea of one Kingdom at the end of all things is prevalent.
Finally in a traditional Hebraic perspective Sukkot is permanently linked with G_D’s Torah wherein during the Festival of Sukkot the annual Torah readings are concluded. Traditionally the 8th Day convocation (Shimini Atzaret) is when the Torah scroll is wound back to the beginning (Genesis) so that the cycle can begin anew on the following Shabbat.
In traditional Hebraic thought this 8th Day represents a very special time at the end of Sukkot. A time when all the peoples (nations) have been sent back home but Israel is given an “extra day” to commune with G_D.
We should understand from this brief traditional Hebraic review that Sukkot is a highly esteemed Mo’ed within Israel. We should understand that encapsulated within Sukkot are permanent memorials to:
Israel’s unique relationship with G_D … maker of all Creation;
Israel’s unique relationship with G_D as contained within the Everlasting Covenant to be a light to the nations … their Torah guide … their intercessor;
Israel’s unique relationship with G_D wherein Israel is declared to be the bride/wife of G_D;
G_D’s faithful provision of great abundance and blessings;
G_D’s delight in the faithful servitude of his people Israel;
G_D’s selection of Israel, the promised-land and Jerusalem the Holy City of G_D Most High;
G_D’s desire to dwell amidst his chosen people Israel;
G_D’s promise to establish and keep Israel under his bosom forever;
G_D’s promise to bring everlasting peace upon all Israel in accordance to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob;
G_D’s promise to establish the permanent throne of his Presence … his Glory on Mount Zion … his Holy Mountain.
As the context of Sukkot is clarified it becomes clear in the great picture of G_D’s plan that Sukkot represents the “end game” … Sukkot represents the conclusion of all strife, anguish, pain, suffering, adversity and every other negative aspect that we can associate with this fallen creation. In fact we see Sukkot from a Biblical Hebraic perspective embodies not just the end of all matters but the beginning of a new and wholly righteous celebration to the restoration of creation wherein G_D and his creation dwell together in harmony, joy, love and peace. In Sukkot no longer are the festival days of holy convocation designed to sanctify the chosen people but rather the convocation days of Sukkot are celebrated because his people have been sanctified and found acceptable as testified by the very presence of G_D! Barukh HaSHEM!
With this firm foundation established respective to deeper meanings of Sukkot let us proceed to the B’rit Chadasha and find the fulfillment of this Mo’ed within the auspices of Yeshua HaMashiach. And as we prepare to do so let us consider just how beautiful the traditional Hebraic perspective surrounding Sukkot is!
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