A Word from Rabbi Schulman - 9/21/18

We begin the festive holiday of Sukkot this Sunday night. In contrast to the observance of Yom Kippur that takes place indoors, Sukkot is a very outdoors oriented festival. Good food and drink, enjoying the company of family and friends, shaking the lulav and etrog, and sighting a full harvest moon are all part of Sunday evening’s celebration.

There are certain rules for building a sukkah. They are outlined in this delightful Dr. Seuss like poem by Rabbi Art Gould:

You can build it very small

You can build it very tall

You can build it very large

You can build it on a barge

You can build it on a ship

Or on a roof but please don't slip

You can build it in an alley

You can build it in a valley

(You shouldn't build it in a valley)

You can build it on a wagon

You can build it on a dragon

You can make the scakh of wood

Would you, could you, yes you should

Make the scakh from leaves of tree

You shouldn't bend it at its knee

Build your Sukkah tall or short

But no Sukkah is built in the Temple Court

You can build it somewhat soon

You cannot build it in the month of June

If your Sukkah is well made

You'll have the right amount of shade

You can build it very wide

You cannot build it on its side

Build it if your name is Jim

Or Bob or Sam or even Tim

Build it if your name is Sue

Do you build it, yes you do!

From the Sukkah you can roam

But you should treat it as your home

You can invite some special guests

Don't stay in it if there are pests

You can sleep upon some rugs

Don't you build it where there are bugs

If in the Sukkah it should rain

To stay there would be such a pain

And if it should be very cold

Stay there only if you're bold

So build a Sukkah one and all

Make it large or make it small

Sukkah rules are short and snappy

Enjoy Sukkot, rejoice be happy