The Spirit of Sukkot

Do you know the one holy day that the entire world will celebrate in messianic times?

According to the biblical prophet Zechariah, it’s the Festival of Tabernacles, or as it’s called in Hebrew, Sukkot (Zechariah 4:16).

Unity among all of God’s children is a major theme of this joyous biblical celebration. And this week, Yael looks to the lessons of Sukkot to find practical ways that bring us together.

In our world that often feels increasingly divided, Sukkot’s spirit of unity can bring goodness, pleasantness, and blessings to all of our lives.

Learn more about Sukkot by visiting our Learn Center.

Episode Notes:

During the Festival of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, the Jewish people turn to the Bible for clarity on the reason for this holiday. And on today’s episode, Yael explores the Bible verse that tells the Jewish people to build a temporary shelter, or “sukkah,” and live in it for seven days.

In Leviticus, God instructs The Chosen People: “On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days” (23:40).

One reason the Jewish people build these shelters, these sukkot, is to remember how God cared for His people in the desert when He brought them out of Egypt. He provided shelter and protected them. In the same way, while we may have our sturdy, comfortable, and secure homes, we should remember that God is our only source of protection.

The other purpose of building these temporary homes is to host guests and welcome others to enjoy food and soulful singing. Why? Because on Sukkot, the Jewish people remember the power of unity and how important it is to bring people together.

Yael unpacks biblical teachings about Sukkot that promote unity, and based on these teachings, she gives us three practical ways to encourage a spirit of unity in our own lives—not just on Sukkot, but all year round. While these three ways to bring unity require us to overlook the differences and disagreements that usually divide us, Yael explains that when we do, God promises that goodness, pleasantness, and blessings will follow!