Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Sukkot 2010


Well, Sukkot is over so I figured I'd better get this post up.....This is a picture of our Sukkah. This shows the edge of the Sukkah itself, as well as the tents. You can sorta see Little Critter's small tent between the table and the large tent that Dodi and I slept in. We were supposed to have rain most the week, so that's why we put the cabana over the tents. Ours is waterproof, but Little Critter's isn't.
We had a blast! We ate out there and slept in the tents several nights. A couple of nights, it was SO hot and humid none of us could sleep so we moved inside...and one night, it got cold (down in the 50's!). Something in the air changed the night it got cold and Little Critter's allergies flared up badly. We had to move inside that night also....but we stayed out as much as possible. We had plenty of good food made from harvested veggies and even had friends come visit a couple of nights.

Some of our friends think we're nuts to do this, but they've never tried it. I heard someone give an incredible explanation of Sukkot that I'd like to share with you. Sukkot is one of the moedim or appointed times to spend with Papa. (Kinda like you have Dr. appointments.) Only this appointment is with the Creator of the Universe! And while you're sitting in your sukkah, the three walls represent the arms of the Father. So while sitting in your sukkah, you're wrapped in a hug from the Father! The ground below you is like His lap, the plant material on the roof (we use river cane) is like His beard tickling your head. And the whole feeling while following the commandment laid out in Leviticus 23 is that you really ARE sitting in His lap, getting a hug from Him. It's wonderful!!!!!

I hope each of you had a blessed week of Sukkot. We traveled to Dallas the end of Sukkot (which lasts 8 days) and shared Simchat Torah (the joy of Torah) with a lovely congregation there. Dancing around the building with the Torahs was a blast! Those who've never done such a thing can not begin to understand the wonder and joy it gives. And I have no words to describe it well for you.....We danced, we laughed, we danced some more, we praised Him for His gifts to us, and we met some really wonderful folks. Such a wonderful blessing for us. Our Papa is so good to us!!!

Well, as we start over on our Torah readings, I pray each of you will learn many new things from Papa. May He speak of His love for you, His expectations for your life and His promises to you. Be blessed. Shalom, Spitfire

4 comments:

Michelle said...

What a great feeling this must be..
The ground below you is like His lap, the plant material on the roof is like His beard tickling your head. And the whole feeling while following the commandment laid out in Leviticus 23 is that you really ARE sitting in His lap, getting a hug from Him. It's wonderful!!!!!

Most Rev. Gregori said...

Many years ago, when I was growing up,our next door neighbor was a Jewish family, and I used to enjoy going over to help them erect their sukkah.

The first time I saw them putting it up, I was about 9 years old and had no idea what it was. I remember wandering over and asking them if their toilet was broken. They said no, why? I said then how come your building an out-house?

They had a good laugh and then explained what it was.

When I think back on it, I feel like such an idiot.

Spitfire said...

Abouna,
There's no need to feel like an idiot. It was something new to you. And most sukkahs DO look kinda funny. I think you should be proud that you brought laughter to their lives that day. Setting up the sukkah can be difficult and aggravating....you performed a mitzvot and didn't even know it! You brought laughter to someone else's life. What a blessing you are! Shalom.

NoReply said...

Glad to hear you all had a brilliant time... I had to laugh when you said it got cold - down to 50... ah bless - its has been the coldest wettest Sukkot that I can remember - I've been wearing my thermals for weeks now... mind I did brave a quick cup to tea in our sukkot two lunch times (albeit wearing a coat and muffled up like an Eskimo...

(xx)