Sukkot Only for the Natives?
Because of the
wording is Leviticus 23:42
“Ye shall dwell in
booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths.”
Some feel that
this excludes Jews, Hebrews or Israelites in the Diaspora from building and
dwelling in Sukkahs during the Feast of Tabernacles.
However from a
Remez level of interpretation, if one looks carefully at the words used dealing
with this subject one will find that The Hebrew root words in
"native" are "branch", "seed" and "Diaspora";
hinting at least that Jews, Hebrew and Israelites born outside the land of
Israel are also to dwell in Sukkahs. On a Sod level, one who converts or is
already a Jew, Hebrew and or Israelite has the inheritance of the Land and
seeing as Adam and Noah came from these lands that we to originate from there
and are also obligated to dwell in Sukkahs. It is the concept of Spiritual
birth. For the Terms Jew, Hebrew and Israelite are not only ethnical, but
religious in connotation as well. Psalm 87 seems to also hint about this
“native birth” for Diaspora Jews, Hebrew and Israelites as well as converts.
Even if you are not convinced those of us in exile are not required to dwell in
Sukkahs, I do not think anyone is hurting anything or twisting scripture by
dwelling in booths, tents, or however you are willing to observe Tabernacles.
This is just my
two cents, but MAYBE the verse in Leviticus is worded as such because the Holy
One knew we would observe Sukkot in exile and for us in volatile climates, such
as Maine, Idaho, Canada, etc., it is not always safe health wise to dwell in
Sukkahs because when Sukkot comes it’s usually fall and it is damp, cold, rainy
and sometimes even snowing; even the Rabbi’s say, Life over Law. ADONAI does
not expect us to dwell in Sukkahs at the risk of our health and possibly for
the zealous heart he wrote this to show its okay if you can’t dwell in a Sukkah
for reasons stated above.
We see in
Zechariah 14 that Gentiles will convert and end up keeping Sukkot, those who
dwell in Jerusalem
So is Sukkot only
for Natives? You ask me, Nah, I don’t think so. It’s for everyone!
The Sukkot of Messiah
I bet the Festival of Sukkot was the furthest thing from the Christian hymnist mind when they penned these words. But growing up Christian, this song cannot help but spring to my mind when I think of Sukkot and the Moshiach Yeshua.
Positive Commandment 16
"HakHail" - Assembling the entire Jewish People
Deuteronomy 31:12 "Gather the people together, men and women, and children"
When Mashiach comes your will hear the radio announcing:
"This is the M.T.N. (Mashiach Times News) Radio, announcing the biggest greatest, most phenomenal Jewish reunion to be held on the second day of Sukkot!
The last convention, seven years ago, was an outstanding occasion. All men, women and children are invited to this festive gathering."
At the end of the Shemita year (see Positive Mitzvah 140), we are commanded to gather at the Beit HaMikdash in
Portions of the Torah are read aloud by the king at this assembly, uniting the Jewish people and inspiring all in the service of Hashem. – Chabad.org
Won’t that be the most wonderful Sukkot ever!? The Sukkot when Messiah returns, we are all gathered together at the 3rd Temple and The One who spoke the world into creation, the One in Who’s words are the very Breath of Life, The Living Word, the Living Torah, Yeshua Ha Moshiach will read the very Torah He authored and gave to Moshe Rabbinu over 4000 years ago! Hearing the Torah read by the Author Himself!
We will celebrate Messiah’s Birth, Return, Our deliverance from
www.abrahamsdescendants.com
Kris Shoemaker –Yehudah be Shomeyr
