Celebrating Sukkot without a Sukkah
How to creatively approach the fall harvest holiday.
By Sara Shapiro-Plevan
The central mitzvah of Sukkot is found in Leviticus 23:42,
where Jews are commanded to dwell in a sukkah, a temporary hut, for
seven days and nights. We do this in order to remember the experiences of our
ancestors, both on the journey from Egypt to the land of Israel and in a later
era, when farmers brought offerings to the ancient Temple in Jerusalem at the
time of the harvest.
But many people live in climates, neighborhoods, or
buildings that preclude constructing and living in a sukkah. A local synagogue,
Hillel, or even kosher restaurant will likely have one that you can use to
fulfill the mitzvah of sitting in a sukkah. Yet everyone, with or without a personal
sukkah, can turn to creative interpretations of "dwelling" and focus on
the aspects of Sukkot that are oriented toward other rituals and customs to enrich
the holiday experience.
At Home in a Hut
In the Torah, the children of
Israel used sukkot (plural of
sukkah) as their temporary homes while traveling through the desert.
Instead of constructing your own temporary space--or in addition to it--you can
help someone else acquire a permanent home. Habitat
for Humanity is an organization that runs building projects in many urban
areas. Other service programs in your community may help individuals transition
from homeless shelters into homes by collecting house wares and other necessary
items. The acknowledgement that there are those in our communities who have no
shelter at all can bring a meaningful awareness to your celebration.
A Temporary Dwelling
A sukkah is a transitional shelter meant to provide only the
basic structure of a building. In fact, Jewish law requires a minimum of two
and half walls, and the ceiling, covered in tree branches and leaves, must be
open enough so that the stars are visible. One alternative is to build a sukkah-like
structure indoors. For children, the act of building forts and tents is the
creation of a personal play space. Adults can build a canopy over the dining
room table using a tablecloth, or even over the bed--perhaps to look like a huppah--to enjoy the temporary shelter
and reminder of transition that it evokes.
Harvest Holiday
In the Bible, Sukkot marked the time of the fruit and grape harvests.
It is also harvest time in North America, and the produce of the season is
readily available. You can visit a farmer's market or even a farm to buy or
help harvest seasonal fruits and vegetables. Go apple picking or just visit the
park to collect fallen leaves and twigs to use as decorations. Create centerpieces
for the home with fruits and vegetables, and plan meals that incorporate a wide
selection of local produce. Look for the variety of produce imported from
Israel during this time of year, as well.
The Four Species
The
lulav and etrog are made up of four different kinds of plants
(citron/etrog, palm/lulav, myrtle/hadas and palm/arava) and
are often called the Four species, or arba
minim. They function as one unit, and we say one blessing over them
together: its purpose is to gather and enjoy the plants of the land. Anyone can
shake a lulav at home, in a synagogue, or wherever you find yourself, even out
in the natural world. A lulav and etrog can be found online or in a local
Judaica store.
Ushpizin
All year, welcoming guests is a Jewish value expressed by the
mitzvah of hakhnasat orhim. Invite
guests to your home for a sukkah party or a meal and serve harvest-themed
treats. You might also host a picnic in a local park.
At Sukkot we specifically welcome ushpizin,
traditionally one of seven exalted men of Israel to take up residence in the sukkah with us: Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David. Be creative and encourage your
guests to welcome their own ushpizin-- famous personalities and heroes, ancient
or modern, Jewish or not Jewish, who lived exemplary lives and continue to
inspire.
The Time of Our Joy
In Jewish liturgy, Sukkot is referred to as "the time
of our joy," z'man simhateinu. Take time off to spend with family
or friends, or make lots of phone calls to wish a hag sameah, a happy holiday, to loved ones who are too far to
visit.
Make your home a joyful place with decorations in the spirit
of the holiday: decorate your front door with a harvest theme, hang paper
chains from your ceilings, or build a mini-sukkah out of graham crackers,
pretzels, and icing to serve as a fun treat. Sukkot in Israel are often
decorated with what Americans would refer to as "Christmas lights,"
so grab a box and string them around your windows and walls to transform your home
into a sukkah.
The space and financial investment needed to build a sukkah can
be very real, but finding ways to celebrate the holiday only takes some
creative thinking.
Sara Shapiro-Plevan is the
coordinator of congregational education for New York City at the Board of
Jewish Education of Greater New York. She is also a doctoral student in the
Davidson School at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Sara's New York apartment
does not have a terrace, and she has been celebrating Sukkot without her own sukkah
for 15 years.
