The Brown & White

The Jewish community at Lehigh University erected a sukkah on the University Center front lawn Oct. 13 in recognition of the Festival of Sukkot.

The sukkah has remained up for the duration of the holiday week, which can be a few extra days depending on one's level of observance, and will remain standing until Friday.

Lehigh's sukkah was donated by a Lehigh alumnus and erected by Rabbi Seth Goren. He, along with the help of some Hillel members, constructed the canvas and bamboo hut.

Inside the sukkah, there are quotations from Ben Franklin, Mahatma Gandhi and Jewish scriptures. Also inside are a couple of lawn chairs, a small hay bail and some gourds that are illuminated by sunlight streaming through the bamboo roof. All sukkahs must have a roof made from organic material. The outside of the sukkah is ornamented with informational and inspirational quotes.

The Festival of Sukkot begins on the fifteenth day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish lunar calendar. This occurs anywhere from late September to late October and it always comes immediately after Rosh Hashanah.

The tenth and final day of Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur. This is a day of intense prayer and fasting out of atonement and repentance.

In contrast, the Festival of Sukkot is an extended celebration and perhaps the happiest of Jewish holidays. It is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Tabernacles. Tabernacles are the portable homes that Jews lived in during their exodus from Egypt. Led by Moses, the Jewish people wandered the desert for 40 years and lived in these small huts.

"God provided the Israelites with food, clothing and shelter. Sukkot is a time to remember what was provided for our ancestors," Goren said. "Sukkot is a time to rejoice for the good things we have in our lives."

The purpose of the sukkah is multi-dimensional. Strict observance means eating meals and sleeping in the sukkah, however the spirit of the holiday is not jeopardized if one does not eat and sleep in the booth.

Goren offered a rule of thumb. "If it's raining hard enough to dilute your soup it's OK to go inside."

Joshua Davitz,'10, recalled the happy festivities of his childhood celebrating the holiday.

"I think my only memory of Sukkot is of a huge tent in Brooklyn with tons of food and tons of dancing."

The spirit of Sukkot is the spirit of rejoice, and it is in the Jewish tradition to give thanks during this time for the good in life.

"It's just sort of existing there and it looks somewhat ramshackle. Actually, this helps to explain the modesty of the holiday, and the fact that the booth is humble makes us appreciate the good things we have that much more," Davitz said.

Goren also commented on the form of the structure. He said that a certain "fragility" is traditionally included in the building of the hut or booth.

Students have noticed the sukkah and those who have checked it out say they have found it interesting.

"I didn't realize it was what it was until I went over to it. I liked it," said Matt Krzywicki, '12 ,

"It's eye-opening to have something different like that," said Zahir Carrington, '10.

"Although Sukkot is largely looked over as a Jewish holiday I feel like it should be celebrated more because you separate yourself from material objects and it can be family-orienting," Max Glassman, '12, said.

Goren and various Jewish and non-Jewish students have gathered regularly around the sukkah in recognition of the holiday. They have shared discussions in humanistic realms not exclusive to Judaism. James Hogg of Victory House attended one such talk and spoke on homelessness and the possibility of increasing the number of state hospitals. Discussion topics have also included charitable giving, acts of loving kindness and the appreciation of everything good.

All are welcome to enter the hut and learn more about the holiday, Goren said.