Jewish holiday teaches unity Wednesday night

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The lesson of unity was taught Wednesday night during the celebration of the Jewish holiday Sukkot.

“The holiday teaches us to be united,” said Rabbi Yosef Weingarten, from the Chabad House of Western Michigan. The holiday of Sukkot is named for the huts, or sukkah, that Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert for 40 years before they reached the promised land.

Sukkot is the third and final celebration of the Exodus from Egypt.

“It’s just like a traditional time of year. When ever I think of fall, I think of Sukkot,” said Bryan Hamburger, West Bloomfield junior.

The focal point of the holiday is the sukkah. Sukkot is the plural form of sukkah, which means covering or shelter. Huts are constructed as temporary shelters and the roof is covered with foliage during the holiday.

“We will eat in it and some will sleep in it. People will build a large sukkah and invite their whole family over,” said Hillel/Jewish Student Organization President Jason Levinson, New York graduate student.

There are many symbols associated with Sukkot. The most important are the four species — etrog or the citron, palm branch or lulav, myrtle branch or hadas and willow branch or aravah. Etrogs are the fruit of the goodly tree.

Together these items make up the etrog and lulav, which are important in the celebration of Sukkot in the synagogue.

Sukkot is actually a weeklong celebration, which started Friday and will continue through Saturday. Two days are added to celebrate in the rejoicing of the Torah — the holy book of the Jewish religion — but are separate holidays.

“The significance of it is praying for a good harvest and the coming of fall,” Hamburger said.

The celebration was put together by Hillel/Jewish Student Organization and was open to all students. Traditional music was played and food was provided to people who attended.