The Joyous Water-Drawing Ceremony Simchat Beit Hashoeivah
He who has not seen the Water-Drawing Celebration has never seen joy in his life (Talmud)
Every Jewish festival is celebrated with joy. Often there are additional emotions added to the mix: awe on Rosh Hashanah, regret on Yom Kippur, freedom from oppression on Passover. But the holiday of Sukkot is pure joy. In our prayers, we call it simply “the season of our rejoicing.”
Sukkot in the Temple
One of Sukkot’s most joyous observances was known as Simchat Beit Hashoeivah, the Celebration of the Water-Drawing. When the Holy Temple stood, every sacrifice included wine libations poured over the altar. On Sukkot, water was also poured over the altar in a special ceremony. This ritual engendered such joy that it was celebrated with music, dancing and singing all night long.
Every morning of Sukkot at daybreak, a group of Levites and priests went down to the Shiloach stream, which ran south of the Temple Mount, and drew three log (a Talmudic liquid measurement) of fresh water to be poured on the altar after the daily morning sacrifice. Their arrival at the Temple with the water was accompanied by trumpet blasts.(For Shabbat, the water was collected before the onset of Shabbat and stored in a golden vessel in the Temple.)
There were two holes in the altar into which liquid was poured. One hole was for the wine that accompanied every sacrifice, and a second, smaller one was reserved for the Sukkot water. The holes were different sizes to allow the wine and water, which have different consistencies, to drain at the same speed.
The nights of Sukkot were spent celebrating this once-a-year offering. The Talmud describes the celebrations of Simchat Beit Hashoevah in detail: Priests kindled fires on great candelabra, lighting up Jerusalem as if it were the middle of the day. Throughout the night pious men danced holding torches, scholars juggled and Levites played music while the lay people watched with excitement. The Temple courtyard was specially furnished to accommodate this event, and a balcony was erected for women so they could observe the revelry.
Though not explicitly mandated in the Torah, the water libation is part of the oral tradition passed down from Moses. For this reason, the Sadducees, who rejected the Oral Law, bitterly disputed the practice. Once the priest honored to do the libation was sympathetic to the Sadducees and, instead of pouring the water into the hole in the altar, he spilled it on his own feet. The onlookers were horrified and pelted him with their etrogim. From that time on, whoever poured the water libation lifted the jug of water high in the air, so that all could see him perform the mitzvah properly.
Celebrating Today
Even today, when we no longer have a Temple, and the water libation ritual is discontinued, many communities still celebrate Simchat Beit Hashoeivah with music and dancing during the nights of Sukkot, in keeping with the Torah’s directive, “You shall rejoice on your holiday.
Why was this event accompanied by such fanfare and celebration? Part of the answer is that Jews of old were happy to demonstrate their fealty to tradition, even those traditions not specified in the Torah. In addition, the water-drawing was said to be accompanied by a great awareness of God, to the degree that it is said that, along with water, people would “draw” prophetic revelation.
The chassidic masters explain that the water celebration signifies a joy caused by a connection to God so deep and so true that, like water, it has no describable taste. And like water, it sustains all life.
Picture this scene: Millions of Jews – men and women, infants and their great-grandmothers, scholars and laypeople – assembled in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. A hush falls over the mammoth crowd, as the royally bedecked king of Israel ascends on to a platform and reads sections of the holy Torah. The nation is inspired and invigorated. A display of unity and a statement of purpose converge to revitalize and refocus a multifarious people.
Though seemingly improbable, this scene repeated itself in ancient Jerusalem on a septennial basis.
At the end of every seven years, at an appointed time, in the Festival of Sukkot [following] the year of Shemitah. When all Israel comes to appear before the Lord, your G‑d, in the place He will choose, you shall read this Torah before all Israel, in their ears. Assemble the people: the men, the women, the children…— (Deuteronomy 31: 10-12)
.In ancient Israel, every seventh year was a Shemitah (“sabbatical”) year. For an entire year, the nation’s economy came to a standstill as all farmers and agrarian workers abandoned their fields and flocked en masse to the study houses where for a full year they focused on their spiritual, rather than physical needs.
Now, at the onset of the eighth year (the first in the new seven-year cycle), the nation is ready to head back to the fields and orchards. But first, on the second day of the holiday of Sukkot, sixteen days into the new year, all gather in the Holy Temple for a dose of inspiration. Inspiration to tide them over for the next six years, most of whose time would be spent in business endeavors.
…In order that they hear, and in order that they learn and fear the Lord, your G‑d, and they will observe all the words of this Torah.
Reliving Mount Sinai
This event was known as Hakhel, “assemble!” It was the only event that required the attendance of every Jew, reminiscent of the historic moment when our nation stood at Mount Sinai, when every member of our nation was present when G‑d lovingly gave us the Torah.
Once the entire nation had gathered, the king, situated on a specially constructed platform in the Temple’s courtyard, was handed the Torah scroll that Moses himself had written. The king recited a blessing and then read aloud several portions from the Book of Deuteronomy, and then concluded with several more blessings.
…Every individual should see himself as if he is now being commanded, and it is from God’s mouth that he is hearing these words. For the king is only the messenger to announce God’s words
Hakhel Today
The “Hakhel Year” is an opportune time to promote Jewish unity and gathering. The biblical mitzvah of Hakhel is only in effect when all the Jewish people reside in the Holy Land. However, today when there is no Temple, Jews are still encouraged to assembly on or around Sukkot, when the Hakhel gathering took place in the Holy Temple, but the entire year is a “Hakhel Year,” and an opportune time to promote Jewish unity and gatherings.
The responsibility to arrange Hakhel gatherings lies primarily on the “kings,” i.e. the leaders – rabbis and communal activists – of each community. But during this year everyone should be mindful of any opportunity that presents itself to gather together some Jews and recreate in microcosm the grand Hakhel event.
Building a Kosher Sukkah The basics of building a sukkah and living inside it
Inside the Sukkah
Sukkah decorated with the seven species
Sukkah inside your balcony
Sukkah always has to be decorated
Intro to Sukkah Building
For forty years, as our ancestors traversed the Sinai desert prior to their entry into the Holy Land, miraculous “clouds of glory” surrounded and hovered over them, shielding them from the dangers and discomforts of the desert. In the words of the verse (Leviticus 23:42–43), “For a seven-day period you shall live in booths. Every resident among the Israelites shall live in booths, in order that your [ensuing] generations should know that I had the children of Israel live in booths when I took them out of the land of Egypt. I am the L‑rd, your G‑d.”
Ever since, we remember G‑d’s kindness, and reaffirm our trust in His providence, by “dwelling” in a sukkah for the duration of the Sukkot festival, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (in Israel, through the 21st only).
A sukkah is essentially an outdoor hut that is covered with vegetation, known as sechach. But there are many guidelines and requirements that must be followed in its construction, and regarding the location where it is erected, in order for a sukkah to be deemed “kosher”—fit for use.
There are excellent prefabricated sukkahs available, in a variety of sizes, from many Judaica vendors.
The seven days of Sukkot—celebrated by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the Four Kinds, and rejoicing —are followed by Simchat Torah.
Where Do I Build My Sukkah?
Construct your sukkah outdoors, ideally in a spot that’s most accessible to your residence. Popular sukkah locations include: porches, backyards, courtyards, lawns, balconies and rooftops. Basically, any location under the open sky.
An important requirement is that there should be nothing between your sukkah and the open sky. So make sure that there are no trees, canopies or roofs of any sort overhanging your sukkah.
What Materials Do I Need?
If you’re building your own sukkah, here are the basic materials you will need:
The Walls: The walls of a sukkah can be made of any material, provided that they are sturdy enough that they do not move in a normal wind. You can use wood or fiberglass panels, waterproof fabrics attached to a metal frame, etc. You can also use pre-existing walls (i.e, the exterior walls of your home, patio or garage) as one or more of the sukkah walls. An existing structure that is roofless or has a removable roof can also be made into a sukkah by covering it with proper sechach.
The Roof Covering: The sukkah needs to be covered with sechach—raw, unfinished vegetable matter. Common sukkah roof-coverings are: bamboo poles, evergreen branches, reeds, corn stalks, narrow strips (1×1 or 1×2) of unfinished lumber, or special sechach mats.
Mats made of bamboo, straw or other vegetable matter can be used only if they were made for the purpose of serving as a roof covering.
The sechach must be detached from its source of growth—thus a live trellis, or branches still attached to a tree, cannot be used.
You may use only vegetable matter that has not been previously used for another purpose. Additionally, it must never have acquired the status of a utensil (through being used as part of a crate or tool), nor have been capable of becoming ritually impure.
You may also need some plain, unfinished wood beams to construct a framework on which to lay the sechach.
Chairs and Tables: Remember, you will be taking all your meals in the sukkah for the duration of the festival. Plus, it is a special mitzvah to invite guests to share your sukkah.
Decorations: Many communities decorate the sukkah with colorful posters depicting holiday themes, by hanging fresh fruits or other decorations from the sechach beams, or both.
The Dimensions and Other Requirements
A sukkah must have at least two full walls plus part of a third wall (the “part” needs to be a minimum of 3.2 inches wide). It is preferable, however, that the sukkah have four complete walls.
The Walls: The walls must be at least 32 inches high, and the entire structure may not be taller than 30 feet. In length and breadth, a sukkah cannot be smaller than 22.4 inches by 22.4 inches. There is no size limit in how large—in length and width—a sukkah may be.
The Sechach: There must be sufficient sechach to provide enough shade so that in a bright midday there is more shade than sun seen on the floor of the sukkah. The sechach has to be spread out evenly over the entire sukkah, so that there should not be any gap larger than 9.6 inches.
Anything that is directly supporting the sechach should not be made out of materials that are not fit to be used as sechach. Thus, if the sechach rests directly on the sukkah walls, strips of wood may need to be used to support the sechach. In addition, the sechach should not be be tied with wire or fastened with any metal object.
Some More Details: A sukkah must be built anew every year for the purpose of the mitzvah. This requirement, however, applies only to the sechach, since it is the sechach that makes the sukkah a sukkah. Thus, one can leave the walls standing all year, and place the roof covering before the festival. If the sukkah and the sechach have been up all year, one can simply lift up and replace the sechach, which allows the sukkah to be considered as new.
The seven days of Sukkot—celebrated by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the Four Kinds, and rejoicing —are followed by Simchat Torah.
Sukkot—when we expose ourselves to the elements in greenery-covered huts—commemorates God sheltering our ancestors as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Four Kinds express our unity and our belief in God’s omnipresence. Coming after the solemn High Holidays, it is a time of joy and happiness
Sukkot – The booths (huts) built outside of people’s homes, where they live for the seven days of the feast
The first two days (or one day in Israel) are yom tov, when work is forbidden, candles are lit in the evening, and festive meals are preceded with Kiddush and contain challah dipped in honey (see the recipe for sweet Challah Bread in Rosh Hashanah). The remainder of the days are quasi holidays, known as chol hamoed. We dwell in the sukkah and take the Four Kinds every day (except for Shabbat, when we do not take the Four Kinds)
What is Sukkot (this year, October 2-9, 2020)?
The four kinds taken in Sukkot
Sukkot is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. We celebrate Sukkot by dwelling in a foliage-covered booth (known as a sukkah) and by taking the “Four Kinds” (arba minim), four special species of vegetation.
The first two days (sundown on October 2 until nightfall on October 4 in 2020) of the holiday (one day in Israel) are yom tov, when work is forbidden, candles are lit in the evening, and festive meals are preceded by Kiddush and include challah dipped in honey.
The intermediate days (nightfall on October 4 until sundown on October 9 in 2020) are quasi holidays, known as Chol Hamoed. We dwell in the sukkah and take the Four Kinds every day of Sukkot (except for Shabbat, when we do not take the Four Kinds).
The final two days (sundown on October 10 until nightfall on October 11 in 2020) are a separate holiday (one day in Israel): Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah.
The significance of Sukkot
Inside a Sukkah, decorated with the seven species of the Land of Israel
Of all the Jewish holidays, Sukkot is the only one whose date does not seem to commemorate a historic event. The Torah refers to it by two names: Chag HaAsif (“the Festival of Ingathering,” or “Harvest Festival”) and Chag HaSukkot (“Festival of Booths”), each expressing a reason for the holiday.
In Israel, crops grow in the winter and are ready for harvest in the late spring. Some of them remain out in the field to dry for a few months and are only ready for harvest in the early fall. Chag HaAsif is a time to express appreciation for this bounty.
The name Chag HaSukkot commemorates the temporary dwellings God made to shelter our ancestors on their way out of Egypt (some say this refers to the miraculous clouds of glory that shielded us from the desert sun, while others say it refers to the tents in which they dwelled for their 40-year trek through the Sinai desert).
Dwelling in the Sukkah
For seven days and nights, we eat all our meals in the sukkah and otherwise regard it as our home. Located under the open sky, the sukkah is made up of at least three walls and a roof of unprocessed natural vegetation—typically bamboo, pine boughs or palm branches.
The goal is to spend as much time as possible in the sukkah, at the very minimum eating all meals in the sukkah—particularly the festive meals on the first two nights of the holiday, when we must eat at least an olive-sized piece of bread or mezonot (grain-based food) in the sukkah. Some people do not eat or drink anything outside the sukkah, and some even sleep in the sukkah
Taking the Four Kinds
The Four Kinds
Another Sukkot observance is the taking of the Four Kinds: an etrog (citron), a lulav (palm frond), three hadassim (myrtle twigs) and two aravot (willow twigs).
On each day of the festival (except Shabbat), we take the Four Kinds, recite a blessing over them, bring them together and wave them in all six directions: right, left, forward, up, down and backward. The sages of the Midrash tell us that the Four Kinds represent the various personalities that comprise the community of Israel, whose intrinsic unity we emphasize on Sukkot.
Hoshanah Rabbah – The seventh day of the holiday
Every day of Sukkot we say Hallel, a collection of psalms of praise (Psalms 113-118) as part of the morning prayer service. Every day aside for Shabbat, we recite Hallel while holding the Four Kinds, waving them in all directions at certain key points in the service, which are outlined in the siddur (prayerbook).
Afterward, we circle the bimah (the podium on which the Torah is read) holding the Four Kinds, reciting alphabetically arranged prayers for Divine assistance known as Hoshanot.
The seventh day of the holiday is known as Hoshanah Rabbah. This is the day when our fates for the coming year—which were signed on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur—are finalized. On this day, we circle the bimah seven times. We also say a short prayer and strike the ground five times with bundles of five willows (also known as Hoshanot)
Sukkot during the time the Temple in Jerusalem existed
Temple in Jerusalem
In the days of the holy Temple in Jerusalem, there was a special regimen of sacrifices that were to be brought on the altar. On the first day, no less than 13 bulls, two rams, and 14 lambs were to be sacrificed. Every day, the number of bulls was depleted by one. All in all, 70 bulls were brought, corresponding to the 70 nations of the world.
Along with Passover and Shavuot, Sukkot is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three annual pilgrimages, when every male Jew was to be in Jerusalem. Every seven years, on Sukkot, the king would read aloud from the Torah to the entire nation—men, women and children. This special gathering was known as Hakhel.
On Sukkot, God determines how much rain will fall that winter (the primary rainy season in Israel). Thus, while every sacrifice in the Temple included wine libations poured over the altar, on Sukkot, water was also poured over the altar in a special ceremony. This ritual engendered such joy that it was celebrated with music, dancing and singing all night long. This celebration was called “Simchat Beit Hasho’evah.”
Even today, when there is no Temple, it is customary to hold nightly celebrations that include singing and dancing (and even live music during the intermediate days of the holiday).
This holiday is so joyous that in Talmudic times, when someone said the word chag (“holiday”) without specifying which one, you could know that they were referring to Sukkot.
The Torah tells us that after the seven days of Sukkot, we should celebrate an eighth day. In the diaspora, this eighth day is doubled, making two days of yom tov. On the final day, it is customary to conclude and then immediately begin the annual cycle of Torah reading, making this day Simchat Torah (“Torah Celebration”).
Although the eighth day follows Sukkot, it is actually an independent holiday in many respects (we no longer take the Four Kinds or dwell in the sukkah). Diaspora Jews eat in the sukkah, but without saying the accompanying blessing (there are some who eat just some of their meals in the sukkah on the eighth day but not the ninth).
The highlight of this holiday is the boisterous singing and dancing in the synagogue, as the Torah scrolls are paraded in circles around the bimah.
Why do Christians celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles? The biblical importance behind this Feast
The Feast of Tabernacles is one of the seven Feasts of the LORD. It is important to understand that these Feasts are of the LORD. God said, “these are My feasts” (Leviticus 23:2b), and he commanded the Israelites through Moses to observe these Feasts throughout their generations. When we celebrate these Feasts, we are reminded of what God has done in the past and will perform in the future. Let us explain the significance of these Feasts and why Christians should celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
These Feasts are holy convocations. The Hebrew word for “feast” is “mo’ed,” and one of its important meanings is “appointed time.” The Hebrew word for “convocation” is “miqra,” which is translated as “rehearsal.” So, the seven Feasts of the LORD are God’s appointed times and dress rehearsals for significant events, as ordered and predetermined by God.
Our God is a God of pattern and order. He created the heavens, the earth and all the living things in six days, and then He rested on the seventh day. The number “7” in Hebrew numerology denotes completion. These seven Feasts of the LORD are not only the appointed times for the dress rehearsals, but also represent God’s pattern and order for the first coming of Jesus, as the Lamb of God and His second coming, as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
The first four feasts were already fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming. He first came as the savior of the world, the Passover Lamb of God, the sinless Son of man. The second feast is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The third feast is the Feast of First fruits, and the fourth feast is the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost as we know it. The remaining three Feasts are to be fulfilled at the return of Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
We are rehearsing the return of Jesus when we participate in the last three Feasts, the Feast of Trumpets, the Feast of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and finally the Feast of Tabernacles where God will tabernacle with us during the millennium period. The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day celebration (Leviticus 23:34). The Jewish people are commanded to dwell in booths to remind them that God “brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:43). Seven again is a number of completion. Could this signify the completion of an important event in the timeline of God? Could this be the beginning when God tabernacles with man in Jerusalem during the millennium years? Only Abba Father knows, and with the passing of time we will also know.
The first day of the Feast of Tabernacles is a holy convocation, a holy rehearsal, a Sabbath day of rest (Leviticus 23:35). The Feast of Tabernacles is also the dress rehearsal where nations gather in Jerusalem to “worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16b). Annually, the ICEJ organizes the Jerusalem March as a dress rehearsal for the fulfilment of Zechariah 14:16. Come to the Feast of Tabernacles to experience the joy of marching with the nations on the main streets in the heart of Jerusalem. You will have the unique opportunity to demonstrate your love for Israel and her people, as you shower them with gifts and more importantly, with your presence.
There is another holy convocation on the eighth day, only this time, it is especially mentioned as “a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.” (Leviticus 23:36). The number “8” points to a new beginning. Could this be the dress rehearsal for the sacred creation of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1) at the completion of the millennium years? Again, only time will tell.
When God said, these Feasts are “appointed times” (Leviticus 23:4b), we believe He is calling His people to assemble on these appointed times to meet with Him. These appointed times are God’s open invitations or “seasonal portals” to receive His blessings. We believe your presence in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles is positioning yourself in the right place at the right time to receive God’s blessings.
There are special places located geographically that attract angelic presence and activities. In Genesis 28:10-19, Jacob stepped into a “certain place” and “behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” This place is called Bethel, the House of God where Jacob received his special revelation from God that his descendants shall be as the dust of the earth, and through him all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Jerusalem is another anointed place, a geographical portal where revelation from God is released.
We believe coming to Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, where seasonal and geographical portals come into alignment, will bring amazing blessings and revelation from God for your life. Come with heightened expectancy to the Feast of Tabernacles, especially in this 70th year of Israel as a reborn nation. This is your appointed time to commune with your God.
We receive amazing understanding of the Word and love for our Jewish brethren every time we come to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Those who came with us also experienced miracles of healings, restored relationship with Abba Father and deeper understanding of the Bible.
When you celebrate the Feast of Tabernacle in Jerusalem. You will certainly be blessed!
Food in the feast
There is nothing more Jewish and more comforting than a good Chicken Soup, so here is a one recipe (there are many variations) for traditional chicken soup
Tzom Gedaliah – the fast day in memory of Gedaliah
Tzom (Fast Day) Gedaliah in Brief Tzom Gedaliah is a dawn-to-dusk fast observed on the day after Rosh Hashanah (if that day is Shabbat, it is observed on Sunday). Commemorating the tragic death of Gedaliah, governor of Judea, the day begins with special Selichot liturgy
Historical Background After the Babylonians destroyed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and exiled many Jews in 3338 (423 BC), they appointed Gedaliah ben Achikam as governor of the remaining Jews in the Holy Land. Jews who had taken refuge in the surrounding lands of Ammon, Moab and Edom heard of his appointment and returned to Judea to join his group—the last remnant of the once-mighty Judea. Under his wise and pious leadership, they tilled, planted and cultivated, coaxing the ravaged land back to health.
Prior to Rosh Hashanah 3339, Gedaliah received word that a certain Ishmael ben Netaniah, jealous of his position of power and dissatisfied with his tactical alliance with the Babylonians, was planning to kill him and usurp the leadership for himself. But the trusting Gedaliah refused to believe that Ishmael would act treacherously, and restrained those who wanted to kill Ishmael.
On Rosh Hashanah, Ishmael came to Gedaliah with ten men, ostensibly to celebrate the holiday with him. While they were eating together, Ishmael and his men got up and killed Gedaliah, as well as all the other Jewish men and Babylonian soldiers who were present.
This treachery was followed by more bloodshed. It also caused the Jews to flee to Egypt, effectively ending the prospects of Jewish settlement in the Holy Land until the return of the Babylonian exiles in the year 3390 (371 BC). Thus, the Babylonian exile was absolute, and Judea was left bereft of her children.
When the second Temple was destroyed in the year 3830 from creation (70 AD), the Yom Kippur service continued. Instead of a High Priest bringing the sacrifices in Jerusalem, every single Jew performs the Yom Kippur service in the temple of his or her heart.
The Fast In memory of Gedaliah’s tragic death and its disastrous aftermath, we fast every year on the 3rd of Tishrei, the day after Rosh Hashanah. If the 3rd of Tishrei falls out on Shabbat, the fast is postponed to the 4th of Tishrei. Like other “minor” fasts, it begins at dawn and ends at nightfall.
During both morning and afternoon prayers, the Torah is taken out, and we read the portion from Exodus 32:11–14 and 34:1–10 in which God forgives Israel for the sin of the golden calf. During the afternoon prayers, we also read from Isaiah 55:6–56:8.
As it is written in Zechariah 8:19, Tzom Gedaliah is one of the four fasts that will be converted to joy and feasting with the arrival of Messiah.
