Living Torah Archives

The nights of the festival of Sukkos are marked by Simchas Beis Hashoeva, dancing and joyous celebration reminiscent of the festivities in Temple times. The final day of Sukkos, Hoshana Rabbah, is marked in a more solemn way, as it is the day on which the judgement that began on Rosh Hashanah is sealed. But that should not be a reason not to celebrate.

When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, wine was poured on the altar daily, but on the festival of Sukkos there was an additional water libation after the morning service. The seven nights of Sukkos were spent celebrating the drawing of this water, which was collected daily at daybreak from a valley below the Temple. Water may lack all the sophistication of wine, but it is for this reason that our sages associate it with Torah, unity and joy.

When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, wine was poured on the altar daily, but on the festival of Sukkos there was an additional water libation after the morning service.