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Succot is a unique holiday in that, as compared to all the rest of the holidays, each day has its own unique sacrificial demand. Also unusual is the fact that some sacrifices are included to protect the gentile nations. Despite the uniformity of many aspects of the sacrifice, a decreasing number of young bulls, beginning with thirteen on the first day and decreasing to seven on the seventh and final day of the holiday, are to be given in the Temple. Immediately following Succot, actually the eighth day, still considered a separate holiday, is "atzaret," a day of cessation or assembly. As compared to the seventy bulls offered throughout Succot, perhaps representing the seventy nations of the world, only one bull representing Israel is offered on this day.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. Representing wholeness and completion, seven and its multiples play a large role in the holidays and in Succot in particular. List examples of this phenomenon.
2. What is it about the timing of Succot that facilitates the addition of another day to celebrate with G-d? How do we recognize that in our own calendars?
3. What do you think the concept and holiday of atzeret are meant to signify to us in the busy an acculturated worlds in which we live?
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"It shall be that all who are left over from all the nations who had invaded Jerusalem will come up every year to worship the King G-d, master of Legions, and to celebrate the festival of Succot. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the Land dos not go up to Jerusalem to bow down before the King G-d, Master of Legions, there will be no rain upon them."
The Book of Zachariah 14:16-17
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
Why does Zecharaiah choose Succot as the holiday in which all nations recognize G-d?
Why is the punishment of the lack of rain specifically pledged at this time period?
What values inherent in the observance of Succot are those that the Jews and all the nations of the world could benefit from internalizing?
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