Sukkot and Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot
Leviticus 22:26 – 23:44 and Numbers 29:12-16 and Zechariah 14:1-21 [I Kings 8:2-21]
Numbers 33:13-34:26, Numbers 29:20-22 [29:17-22] and Ezekiel 38:18-39:16
The Torah, read during Sukkot, commands the Jews to live in booths for seven days to remember divine protection in the desert. In the haftarot(2), in the messianic era, after the nations’ war against Israel, the prophet Zechariah announces that the peoples will gather to celebrate Sukkot in Jerusalem, while Ezekiel predicts that during these difficult times, Gog and Magog(3) will attack Israel, but God will intervene to destroy them and restore peace in Israel.
Leviticus 23:42
בַּסֻּכֹּת תֵּשְׁבוּ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים; כָּל-הָאֶזְרָח בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל יֵשְׁבוּ בַּסֻּכֹּת.
You shall live in booths for seven days;
all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths.
The Museum of Jewish Art and History in Paris (M.A.H.J.) exhibits a painted softwood sukkah, dating from the mid-19th century. Composed of 37 numbered and decorated panels, including a view of Jerusalem, it was intended for a wealthy family from the Lake Constance region. This object represents a rare example of Jewish folk art. In 2018, a missing panel was acquired, restoring the work’s integrity 30 years after its entry into the museum’s collection.
(1) Photographs by Christophe Fouin, French photographer specializing in heritage and architecture.
(2) The Talmud Baba Batra 75a presents visions of the messianic era, highlighting the future glory of Jerusalem and the rewards of the righteous. It also references the prophecies of Zechariah and Ezekiel concerning the final battle and the redemption of Israel, as well as those of Isaiah (2:2-4).
(3) Rashi, on Ezekiel 38:2, explains that Gog represents a leader, and Magog his people.