OCTOBER  22,  1943
THE   CANADIAN   JEWISH   REVIEW
Succoth, The Season Of Gladness
From its very Inception, Succoth has been characterised by its Joyous nature. In ancient days, when the Israelites titled the soil of their own land, they celebrated the end of the harvest season by the Chag ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering, which is another name for Succoth. They rejoiced in the reaping of the year's toil, and thanked God for the abundance stored in barn and bin, while praying that He send new rains for the Coming year. They expressed their Joy by a profusion of offerings to the bounteous Giver of harvest.
As one of the three Pilgrimage * Festivals, Succoth had the same official status as Passover and Shabuot. In reality, however, it assumed a much greater import-. ance in the life of the people than did the other two holidays, and was in fact, referred to as "the Festival."
It is easy to understand why such prominence should have been accorded this holiday. While every male was enjoined to make the prescribed pilgrimage to a sanctuary on each of the three agricultural festivals, it was difficult for the Jewish peasant to leave his village during Passover and Shabuot, since these were the seasons for cutting and threshing the grain. On Succoth, however, when the crops had been gathered from ? the fields, he could rejoice with a clear conscience.
Thus it was that so many people were able to visit the Sanctuary, on this occasion. The trails of Palestine resounded with the songs of the festive pilgrims and their families. None could resist the temptation to take an active part in so joyous an event
The Temple became the symbol of unity, and on Succoth, as well as on Passover, every part of the inhabited world poured forth its Jews, who ascended, with a full->f revelry, to Zion. From nd fax, on foot or in chariot key and an csmsaU the
They sang and .cd, and sent forth triumphant blasts from their pipes whenever they met still another caravan of Jews at the converging points of the road. The irrepressible mirth of the masses was louder by far than the usually dominant animal calls.
But silence now, for already visible is the Temple, the goal of their journey. They are awe-stricken, but their hearts are singing in anticipation of the beautiful ceremony they will witness In the Temple. The procession of priests, lulav and ethrog in hand, marches around the Altar to the sound of the Shofaf, while they chant "Save now. I beseech Thee, O Lord; O Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity."
As the flower awaits the sun, so the people await the ceremony af the drawing of the water. "He that hath not beheld the joy of the Drawing of Water hath never seen joy in his life." The spirit of joviality is so prevalent that even men of piety and renown join in the torch dances, while the people carol hymns and songs to th* accompaniment of flutes, harps and cymbals.     0
According to the calendar, Succoth begins on the fifteenth day Of Tlshri, but its observances are begun on the very evening that Tom Kippur terminates. Onjy a few hours after the long day spent In fasting and penitential prayer, Jews hasten to drive the first nail sate the Succah or booth. Not very much work is involved in the building of this little edifice which, by Its very nature, is hastily constructed and insubstantial.
By David H. Paatta
This character is preserved because of the historical association with the Divine protection during the forty^ years of desert wandering, adid also because of a religious connotation, epitomised by Mai-monldes. He said that "man jught to remember his evil days In his days of prosperity He will thereby be induced to thank God repeatedly, to lead a modest and humble life. We, therefore, on Tabernacles, leave our houses, in order to dwell in booths. We shall remember that this was once our condition.
Indeed, for the duration of this holiday, many Jews will almost literally live in these flimsy booths. Study and conversation, eating and, for some, even sleep-
ing will take place in the Sure ah, If the weather permits; for such is the Law. The women will light the candles here before the evening meal, and will join the men In the Grace after the meal. And all will want to enter the Succah in the morning to recite bletslr.gs over the lulav and ethrog. In general, everyone, especially the children, will take the opportunity to enjoy the happy atmosphere of the temporary building.
The actual construction of the Succah is itself an occasion for merriment From the night after Yom Kippur until the beginning of the holiday proper, four days later, every member of the family will insist that he or she be given an equal share in the building and
decoration of the booth. The men will put up the walls and covur the roof sparsely with pine branches or with narrow lathi. The women win adorn the walls with white sheets and pictures and other decoration, and the children will hang fruits and flowers from roof and crossbeam. Apples and pears and grapes and plums will form a rainbow-hued medley (Continued on Page Eight)
Toronto Meetings
� .At a social at the home of Mr. nnd Mrs. I. Lkisky, 441 Clinton Street, $8 was collected for the Russian Relief Fund.
� BNAI BRTTH GIRLS, Miss Betty Goodman pressing, heard a talk on Succoth by Miss Ethel Shlnen, cultural chairman. Rabbi Samuel Sachs will be guest speaker at the next meeting. A fund for ditty bags is being raised.
� MONTEFIORE GIRLS Club entertained at a presentation evening at the home of Mrs. Harrison Lehrer, 113 Hilton Avenue, honoring Miss Claire Anne Rosenthal, a bride-elect.
ev Girls wanted, between 22-24, for organized charity social club. Call Miss Sally Monas, Wa. 9523, between 7-8 p.m.
� MOUNT   SINAI   ALEXIS   is
open for membership, girls 23-25, call Miss Ida Brown, Me. 7420.
� COUNCIL OF JEWISH Women Business and Professional Group membership tea will be held on October 24, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the home of Miss Mln. Soltz, 58 Cheritan Avenue. Activities are Red Cross, International Study Group, book reviews.
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