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