What took place during the Exodus from Egypt stands, for all time, as a myriad of answers for living our lives in accordance with the Eternal G-d.  The accounts are filled with mysteries and layer upon layer of truth.  This is why G-d instructed the Jewish people to remember and to observe annually the holiday of Sukkot, Shavout (Pentecost) and Passover – for all generations to come.  He wants his people to always return to the desert and meet Him there for His teaching and nurturing, before He can take us to the “promised land.”    In the desert we learn to rely on Ha Shem (The Holy Name), and to trust him, taking upon His yoke which is light!  We have to learn many difficult lessons in the desert, but it is there where rocks can become flowing springs and fountains, and it is through the desert that one finds the path to the kingdom.  And when we are in the promised land, G-d still wants us to return there by observing His eternal festivals, never to forget our desert experiences, where He fed us manna, day-by-day, from heaven.  Perhaps this is why Jesus chose his retreats with the Father, in the desert.

When Moses saw the glory of G-d at Sinai and was given the Torah and the basic moral code in which Western societies are founded upon, the commemoration of Sukkot was also required of the Lord.  Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles or Booths) was to become one of the three pilgrimage festivals where Jewish people, during the time of the Temple, went up to Jerusalem.  The Children of Israel were commanded, eternally, to observe it as a festival for 7 days each year.  During Sukkot, you are to live in booths or (sukkahs) as were lived in during the Exodus.  This was to remember a time of transition without a permanent home, and that all generations would know that it was G-d who brought them out of the slavery of Egypt.  Spiritually, we are to be reminded that we are a people set a part from the world (Egypt), and when we choose to leave the comforts and ways of this world, and to be totally reliant and dependent on G-d's provisions and care, we are on an amazing journey to the destination of understanding the principles of G-d's Kingdom.  However, before G-d can truly use us and we can enter the promised land, we must go through a desert experience, an Exodus.

OBSERVANCE :
In building the sukkah the entire family participates.  It is assembled in the yard or roof of the house.  The top of the sukkah is covered with palm branches so that the stars can shine through. It is decorated with fruits and flowers.  All meals during the festival are eaten in the sukkah.  The idea is to give the feeling of an impermanent home. 

The Bible also commands that etrog, lulav, myrtle branches, and willows of the brook are to be used in worship before the Lord during the seven days of the harvest festival.  The etrog is a fragrant citron and the lulav is a sheaf of long palm fronds, fastened with myrtle and willow twigs.  A blessing is recited and the lulav is waved up, down, and in all directions to show that G-d's presence is everywhere.  The lulav and etrog are held during the Hallel, the psalms in praise of G-d, and every day of the festival bring the morning during prayer at the verses: “Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, for His kindness endures forever,” and “We beseech Thee, O Lord, save us!”

The Biblical injunction for the Feast of Tabernacles is found in Leviticus 23: 41-43.  “Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each in booths for seven days, so your descendants will know that I had you dwell in booths when I brought you out of Egypt.”  Certainly the early American pilgrims knew of this festival, and the Biblical command:  “When you have gathered in the first fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:39)  How exciting to think that the pilgrims drew their inspiration for Thanksgiving from Sukkot.

In the time of Jesus there was an additional, colorful, ceremony - the Water Libation Ceremony. On the morning of each day, an offering of water was made, together with the pouring of wind.  Water was drawn in a golden pitcher from the Pool of Siolam, and in solemn procession, while all the spectators stood silent, the pitcher was borne to the water gate of the Temple.  It was during this celebration that Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink”.  (John 7:37)  Then the shofar (ram's horn or trumpet) was blown for all to hear, the Temple was brilliantly lit with four golden lamps, the crowds filled the court.  All night long the festivities and light lasted throughout Jerusalem.

A confirmation that this festival is one to be observed throughout time, the prophet Zechariah tells us that all of the nations of the earth, during the messianic reign, will come up to observe: ”And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”  (Zechariah 14:16)