One of the best things about being here Fall term is the abundance of fall Jewish holidays. Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles is a harvest holiday as well as a holiday meant to commemorate the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness as directed in the Leviticus chapter 23. Traditionally, the Israelites would build little huts to eat and sleep in during the week-long holiday. The rules are that the hut has to have at least two and a half walls, the roof has to be composed of organic material usually palm fronds and you have to be able to see at least three stars through the roof. I asked why the two and a half walls and occasionally-offensive-friend Tyler says it is because the Jews have a made-up religion with arbitrary rules. I told him to hush. Walking around the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is extra fun because during Sukkot because everyone puts up their little sukkahs.
The not-so-little sukkah at the Western Wall.
Home-made sukkah decorated with pomegranates! Pomegranates have a lot of symbolism to the Jews because of their numerous references in the Bible. They are said to contain 613 seeds after the number of commandments and are also representative of King David's reign, the priestly ephod and fruitfulness.
Hello, Western Wall! In the morning during Bar Mitzvah's:
In the extra-early morning on the last day of Sukkot:
Ultra-Orthodox Jews praying and davoning:
"Everyday I'm shukling, shukling..."
On the first 6 days of Sukkot the Jews take their etrog (lemon-like fruit) in one hand and their lulav (bouquet of a palm branch, two willow branches, and three myrtle branches) and wave them about to indicate that God is everywhere, rejoicing in the Lord. On the last day of Sukkot at sunrise the Jews take their lulav and beat it against the ground while praying. the leaves fall off the willow branches symbolizing the rainfall they pray for.
Isn't Judaism fun?
P.S. This was ages ago but who says I have to post things in order, or on time?
When we passed through the wall returning to Bethlehem a piece of graffiti on the Palestinian side stuck out to me. It was of a lion, the symbol of Judah, bloodied and violently spewing out "Welcome to Israel". Directly underneath was written the word "hypocrisy". On the Israeli side was a nice Board of Tourism advertisement with the same "Welcome to Israel" but this time accompanied by scenic views of Israel. At that moment I did feel terribly like a hypocrite. It's a feeling I hope I'll never forget.
