Occupied on Sukkot

At present, hundreds of cities around the world are being occupied,

as “Occupy” protesters take to the streets and people are living in tents.

This week in Jerusalem, as they do every year for the Sukkot holiday,

thousands of people leave their homes to occupy… sukkot.

Sukkot can have one of the best views of the Kotel, the Western Wall,

or be on the back of a truck,

or even on the back of a camel.

 With or without a welcoming sign… all around Jerusalem this week,

 thousands of sukkot are being occupied.

At night when the lights go on

they stand out

inviting,

bright against the dark sky.

Some are long with simple white walls,

others with patterned fabric.

Some are tucked away off the street

and some are large and imposing on a roof top,

while others appear small and alone.

Some sukkot are public

and some very private.

There is one sukkah that is now dark and unoccupied.

It is the enlarged sukkah built in the Shalit protest area,

near the Prime Minister’s residence.  The Shalit family has left Jerusalem,

they and their supporters went home before the holiday began.

Also, it seems… not occupied on Sukkot

are the new light rail trains.

Their drivers have barely started to work,

but are already on strike and the trains are not running today,

one of the busiest tourist days of the year.

Moadim L’Simcha from Jerusalem!

10 Sukkot Favorites

Signs of the Sukkot holiday can be found before Yom Kippur,

but as the fast day ends serious holiday preparations begin.

Here are the ten best ways to tell the Sukkot holiday is approaching:

1. Sukkot begin to fill outdoor porches,

open spaces,

  any 3 walls not under a tree or overhang is covered with schach, becomes a sukkah.

2. Stands selling colorful decorations for the sukkah pop up all over.

3. Number three is lulav shopping.

It can be done in a supermarket,

but for serious consumers

there are special markets for the arba minim.

Rows of etrogim

and piles of hadasim and aravot.

Each item is carefully

examined and studied

for perfect specimens.

4. Finding the right holiday clothing is a must.

5. Family reunions for the holiday are a good reason to smile.

6. Shopping and cooking for all those guests becomes a major task.

7. Police security check in Machane Yehuda market, the shuk goes to the dogs.

8. With thousands of extra visitors and shoppers, traffic jams are a regular sight.

9. An Elvis impersonator singing on a shopping strip is not a regular sight,

just a sign that you never know what to expect in Jerusalem.

10. Recently, this sign had been at another intersection, then reappeared here,

“To all!

The holy Jewish people have a responsibility of unity

and unconditional love

please!”

  I do not know who posted it, but the message is an interesting one.

Random acts of violence have increased over the last week.

However, for most people it is hard not to notice that the holiday season is here.

Chag Sameach

Happy holidays!

Erev Yom Kippur

Before Yom Kippur, whether late at night or before dawn,

one can attend special Selichot prayers all around Jerusalem.

It can be difficult to get to the Old City due to the huge numbers of people…

every night and all night long.


During the day, beside the usual crowds at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

there are bus loads of girls on school trips.

 This is a special time for tefilah,

prayer

and zedakah,

charity

and also for many, special Torah study and classes.

As Yom Kippur  begins, all regular traffic stops.

At least for one day a year, the signs,

  “Do not murder” on the road

and “Do not drink and drive” are obeyed.

And to end with a favorite sign, the erev Yom Kippur bus sign…

  Chatimah tovah

may all be sealed for a good year.