Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Ushpizin – Guests in Aramaic

Question: This is my first time observing Sukkot. I would appreciate it if you could explain it to me as easily as possible. "When a person sits in his Sukkah the Shechinah (God's Divine Presence) spreads its wings (metaphor) over it, we dwell together with Him." One of the important experiences of Sukkot is that of leaving the protection of our permanent dwellings and basking in the shade and protection of God's presence. During the holiday, Jewish people recite the ushpizin prayer which symbolises the welcoming of seven "exalted guests" into the sukkah. These ushpizin, or guests, represent the seven shepherds of Israel. Each night of Sukkot, we invite sacred ancestors to enter our sukkah. On the first night, the night of chesed or love, we invite Abraham and Sarah. On the second night, the night of gevurah or strength, we invite Isaac and Rebekah. On the third night, the night of tiferet or beauty, we invite Jacob and Leah. On the fourth night, the night of netzach or eternity, we invite Moses and Tziporah. On the fifth night, the night of hod or glory, we invite Aaron and Miriam. On the sixth night, the night of yesod or foundation, we invite Joseph and Tamar. And on the seventh night, the night of malkhut or dignity, we invite David and Rachel. Another common tradition is to invite Abraham, Isaac,...