Happy Sukkot!

Chag Samach!

The morning began with smiling children ready to learn about the next Jewish holiday; Sukkot and Simchat Torah.

We met in the MAAGAL (circle) to discuss the holidays. Some of the children were able to tell us what they knew about Sukkot:

Sukkot means the holiday of "booths." The Jewish people lived in these "booths" twice in Jewish history. The first time was when they were traveling from Egypt to Israel when they were freed as slaves. The second time was during the time of the Holy Temple (Beti Hamikdosh). Many of the Jews were farmers and during the harvest time they would take some of their crops with their families to Jerusalem and to the Temple in order to bring gifts to GOD. They wanted to thank GOD for giving them food and water to live.

When we celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, we are thanking GOD for the food that he gives us, as well as our family and friends. Sukkot is a time to welcome guests (ORCHIM) to our sukkot or our homes. Each child created their own Sukkah welcome sign in order to do this important mitzvah, BRUCHIM HABAIM means welcome in Hebrew.

On Sukkot there is another important mitzvah; Lulav and Etrog. Every day of Sukkot, except for Shabbat, we take the four kinds (ARBA MINIM).They are the palm (LULAV), three myrtle leaves (Hadassim), two willow leaves (ARAVOT), and one citron (ETROG). The Lulav and Etrog reminds us of the food that God provides for us. We take the Lulav in our right hand and the Etrog in your left hand. We hold them together and recite the blessing. Each child made a beautiful Lulav and Etrog picture.

The holiday of Simchat Torah was the next holiday that we discussed. The Torah is a special gift from God. There are 5 books in the Torah, and a Portion of the Torah is read each week. We finish reading the Torah on Simchat Torah and then we start all over again. The Torah contains Bible stories and Jewish Laws. A Torah is written on parchment (animal skin), and is placed on holders made of wood. The Torah is written with a feather pen from a quill and special ink. Each child created their own Torah flag to use on Simchat Torah.

We can't wait to learn Torah stories this year!

Please remember to send in Tzedakah each week. Please remember to have your son wear a kippah each week with clips.

Please join us this Friday, Oct 2nd at 6pm for our Sukkah dinner, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat at 7pm (Required for all grades) in the main Sanctuary.

We will be off on Sunday, October 4th, but please do not miss our huge celebration of Simchat Torah – Monday, Oct 5th at 6:30pm. This is your chance to dance with the Torah, and enjoy an amazing evening of joy with your family - don’t miss out – party time!!!

Enjoy the holiday,

Morah Reva

Shakin’ the Lulav We're shaking the lulav now (Shaking the lulav) Up and down (Back and forth) Take it into the Sukkah now (Into the Sukkah) All seven days (But not on Shabbos - oooh) I got the four species now (Arba minim) My willow branches, yeah (Aravot) I shaka, shaka shake my myrtle now (That's Hadassim) And now I'm feeling b'simcha (I knew you would - ooooh)

Hoshia na Hatzlicha na Hoshia na Hatzlicha na

We're shaking the lulav now (Shaking the lulav) Front and back (6 directions) Take it back to the center now (Back to the center) Hodu LaShem Ki Tov (Ki L'olam Chasdo - ooooh)

Hoshia na Hatzlicha na Hoshia na Hatzlicha na

We'll shake-a, shake-a, shake-a lulav now (Shake the lulav) We'll shake-a, shake-a, shake-a lulav now (Shake the lulav) We'll shake-a, shake-a, shake-a lulav now (Shake the lulav)