The Message, Volume 12, Number 3, October 1984 Page: 2 of 8
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Hidden Selections of Houston’s African American and Jewish Heritage and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Rice University Woodson Research Center.
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Editor
.......................................Myrna Rudolph
Congregation Beth Yeshurun is a non-profit organization.
ately begun again — symbolizing the nation’s eternity. The
reader who finished the last portion of the Torah is called
Chatan Torah, bridegroom of the Torah, and the reader who
begins “Beresheet” (the first portion of the Torah) is called
Chatan Beresheet, bridegroom of Genesis. On this day. the
Torah is lovingly surrounded with dancing, while children
carry flags garnished with apples at the end of sticks.
8:30 a.m
10:00 a.m.
THE MESSAGE of Congregation Beth Yeshurun (DSPS 968-500)
is published weekly, Sept. - May, three times in June
and twice monthly in July & August by Congregation
Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut, Houston, Texas 77096
Second Class Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.
Postmaster send address changes to Congregation Beth Yeshurun,
4525 Beechnut, Houston, Texas 77096
SUKKOT
Chassidim (men of good deeds)
begin building the Sukkah im-
mediately after Yom Kippur ends, -g
so as to proceed directly from mitz-
vah to mitzvah (“they will go from
strength to strength”
—Psalms 85).
Sukkot originated as a national
celebration — Chag Ha-Asif— the
Harvest Festival. At this time of
year the farmer had already gath-
ered his harvest and was relaxing
before the first rains. It is only in
relation to Sukkot that the Torah
says “You will rejoice before the
Lord your God. ” Sukkot is also the
only holiday called “Zman Simcha- t
tenu” — the season of rejoicing.
Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem
was consecrated during Chag Ha-Asif, and because of this the
holiday of Sukkot became the first of the three Regalim (holi-
days celebrated in Jerusalem: Sukkot, Passover and Shavu-
oth). When Solomon went to Jerusalem, he went with all the
people of Israel. The Cohanim (priests) and the Levites
brought up all the holy vessels in the Tabernacle and God’s
altar (the Ark). King Solomon and all the Congregation of
Israel that were aseembled with him sacrificed sheep and
oxen before the Ark.
After the Babylonian exile, Chag Ha-Asif became known
as Sukkot. This was in remembrance of the days our ancestors
left Egypt and dwelled in booths (Sukkot); “for in booths I
sat the children of Israel when I took them from the land of
Egypt” (Leviticus 23:41).
The Torah names the first seven days of Sukkot “Chag Ha-
Sukkot" — The Festival of Booths for during these days we are
commanded to sit in the Sukkah. In Israel, Sukkot is cele-
brated for eight days, while in all other places nine days are
celebrated. The eighth day is called Atzeret, and the last day
is called Simchat Torah. The first and eighth days are both
holy days, and no work is permitted.
On Sukkot, every Jew builds a Sukkah in his yard, and
there he and his family join in the Sukkah meal. Keeping the
mitzvah of Arba’at Ha-Minim, the four species, symbolizes
national unity. The ETROG and LULAVsymbolize a full life
of happiness and love of God. The HAD AS and ARA VA repre-
sent the weaknesses of man. On Sukkot, it is a mitzvah to invite
poor Torah students to join in the meals. In extending this in-
vitation, the Ushpizeen are also hosted — Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and David. This custom repre-
sents our forefather Abraham’s mitzvah of inviting guests.
The seventh day of the mitzvah of Sukkah and “the four
species” was named Hoshannah Rabbah for the prayer “Hos-
hannah.” On this day, the altar was surrounded seven times,
while these words were repeated — “Save now, I beseech you,
God; God, I beseech you, send now propserity.” Today, we
march around the Bimah (pulpit) seven times with the Torah,
reciting the same Hoshannah prayer. On this day, the LU-
LA Vs wave repeatedly, signifyingthe nation’s prayer for rain.
The night of Hoshanna Rabbah is the culmination of judge-
ment, the day when our future fate is decided upon and sealed
for the coming year. The night is also called Ley! Ha-Chotam
— the night of the sealing of man’s fate.
On Simchat Torah (the last day of the Sukkot festival), the
annual cycle of the Torah reading is completed, and immedi-
%
Wednesday, October 10 - Erev Sukkot
6:45 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
8:00 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel - Hebrew School Con-
secration.
Thursday, October 11 - 1st Day of Sukkot
J. B. Greenfield Chapel
Great Sanctuary - Day School Consecration.
Sixth grade students will conduct the service.
6:45 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
Friday, October 12 - 2nd Day of Sukkot
8:30 a.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
10:00 a.m. Great Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Great Sanctuary - E.S.P. Service (there will
be NO 8 p.m. service).
6:45 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
Saturday, October 13
8:30 a.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
10:00 a.m. Great Sanctuary - Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah #1.
6:15 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
Wednesday, October 17 - Eve of Shemini Atzeret
6:45 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
Thursday, October 18
8:30 a.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel - Yizkor
9:45 a.m. Great Sanctuary - Memorial Service (Yizkor)
6:45 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
7:00 p.m. Great Sanctuary - Simchat Torah - Hakafot
Friday, October 19
8:30 a.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
10:00 a.m. Great Sanctuary - Service will be conducted by
the sixth grade.
6:30 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
8:00 p.m. Great Sanctuary - Guest speaker: Charles Hoff-
man who will speak on: “Conservative Judaism in
Israel: The Challenges Ahead.”
Saturday, October 20
8:30 a.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
10:00 a.m. Great Sanctuary - Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah #2.
11:00 a.m. Opening session - Junior Congregation
6:00 p.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
Sunday, October 21
8:00 a.m. J. B. Greenfield Chapel
9:00 a.m. TNT-SOS-VIP Service, Torah Talk, and Break-
fast. This year the service, program, and break-
fast will be held from 9:00 a.m. to'10:30 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME.
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Congregation Beth Yeshurun (Houston, Tex.). The Message, Volume 12, Number 3, October 1984, periodical, October 12, 1984; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1298429/m1/2/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.