The Modern Observance of Tabernacles
The Tabernacles
The primary symbol of the Feast of Tabernacles is the Sukkah or tabernacle. It recalls Israel's hastily built housing in the wilderness. As soon as Yom Kippur is past, booths are constructed in yards and patios of Jewish homes. The booths are made with no fewer than three walls covered with intertwined branches. The roofs are thatched so that there is more shade than sunlight during the day, but sparsely enough to allow the stars to be seen at night. Inside they are decorated with colorful harvest fruits and vegetables. During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jewish families eat their meals in the booths, and the very observant even sleep in them.
The Branches
Leviticus 23:40 - And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.
Because of a conflict in interpretation branches were used in both the building of the booths and carried in the hands of joyful worshippers. Scripture mentions four types of trees used to fulfill this command: boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook. They are referred to as the "four species." The etog, a tree which produces small lemon-like fruit, is interpreted by the Jewish authorities to be the "beautiful trees." The lulav, or long branch of a date palm, is held to be the "palm trees." The hadas, or myrtle tree, with its tiny leaves, is believed to be the "leafy" trees. Usually three myrtle branches are held in the hand. The arava, or willow tree, is used in fulfillment of the "willows of the brook." Usually two willow branches are held since the scripture mentions them in the plural. The etog or citrus branch, is held in the left hand, and other three types of branches are bound together and held in the right hand. As in the Ancient Temple services, the branches are held while the Hosanna verse is chanted. (Psalms 118:25)
The Synagogue
As a preservation of the ancient Temple ceremony, all congregants circle the synagogue while singing Psalm 118. The Torah scroll on the center platform of the synagogue, instead of the ancient altar, is the object of the procession today. After the cessation of the Temple services, the Feast of Tabernacles become more closely tied to Yom Kippur which occurs only five days earlier on the Hebrew calendar. Hoshana Rabbah, the last day of the feast, came to be viewed as the last day on which the judgments meted out by God on Yom Kippur could be reversed. On this day, willow branches are ceremonially beaten on the synagogue pews to remove the leaves, symbolizing repentance and removal of sins.
The Rejoicing
Even though the Temple water-drawing ceremony and light celebration do not exist today, the concept of rejoicing is still connected with the Feast of Tabernacles. In the Middle Ages, a new holiday arose known as Simchat Torah ("The Rejoicing of the Law"). It occurs on the ninth day (or the eighth day in Israel) from the start of the Feast of Tabernacles. This post-biblical holiday preserves the traditions of rejoicing and the reading of the Law of Moses during Tabernacles. (Deut. 31:10-13). During the year, the entire Law (the Five Books of Moses) is read, a portion at a time, each Sabbath. On Simchat Torah, the annual cycle of reading the Law begins again. The last chapter of Deuteronomy and the first chapter of Genesis are read as the cycle begins anew. Everyone in the synagogue receives an "aliyah" (an opportunity to read the scriptures from the pulpit). Afterward the congregation marches around the synagogue with great rejoicing as the uplifted Torah scroll leads the procession.