Fall Family Tradition - Building a Sukkah!

This week I had the unique opportunity to learn about the Jewish celebration of Sukkot and the very joyful and special tradition of building of a sukkah. 

While visiting a beautiful sukkah, I learned that they are small, temporary structures, built outdoors with two and a half or three walls and a roof, and are used by Jewish families for meals and gatherings in the celebratory days that follow Yom Kippur.  The roof, which is the sukkoh’s most important feature, cannot be nailed down and must be made of pieces of vegetation which allow sunlight to filter through.  The interior can be decorated in a variety of ways, including children’s art work, seasonal fruits and vegetables, cornstalks and more!

The religious significance of Sukkot is to remind families to be grateful for their own safe and sturdy home and to appreciate the plight of their ancestors who lived in temporary desert homes for forty years.  Eating meals together in the sukkoh brings increased holiness to the family along with a truly special opportunity to entertain guests and rejoice together!  I am very thankful to my kind neighbors who shared their lovely sukkah with the Busy Bee!