Seraphic Secret

Robert J. Avrech: Emmy Award winning screenwriter. Movie fanatic. Helplessly and hopelessly in love with my wife since age nine.

Succos: 2016

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A Yemenite Jew named Yehia holding a lulav and etrog—the four species— in a succah, Jerusalem, 1939.
A Yemenite Jew named Yehia holding a lulav and etrog—the four species—in a Sukkah, Jerusalem, 1939.

You will dwell in booths for seven days; all natives of Israel shall dwell in booths.

—Leviticus 23:42

On the first day, you will take for yourselves a fruit of a beautiful tree, palm branches, twigs of a braided tree and brook willows, and you will rejoice before the L-RD your G-d for seven days.

—Leviticus 23:40

All over the world Jews are preparing—decorating the Sukkah, cooking, and more cooking—for the holiday of Sukkot.

Here are some eye-catching photos pictures of Jews celebrating this joyous holiday in Israel, Samarkand, and America, a reminder that Torah Judaism is universal and eternal.

In observance of the holiday and because of a hectic schedule Seraphic Secret will be offline until Friday.

The Bassam family succah, Rehavia, Israel, 1939.
The Bassam family Sukkah, Rehavia, Israel, 1939.

 

Ashkenazi family (circa 1900) in the succah beneath the chandelier
Ashkenazi family (circa 1900) in their super comfy Sukkah. Note the elaborate chandelier.

 

A Sephardi Jew named Avram relaxing in his Succah with a friend, 1939.
A Sephardi Jew named Avram relaxing in his Sukkah with a friend, 1939.

 

Bukharan family in their sukka (circa 1900). Note the man on the right holding the lulav and etrog.
A Bukharan family in their Sukkah (circa 1900). Note the man on the right holding the lulav and etrog.

 

Exterior of the Goldsmidt succah in Jerusalem (1934). The Goldshmidt's ran a restaurant, hence the large succah for their customers.
Exterior of the Goldsmidt Sukkah in Jerusalem (1934). The Goldshmidt’s ran a restaurant, hence the large Sukkah for their customers.

 

Interior of the Goldsmidt succah, 1934.
Interior of the Goldsmidt Sukkah, 1934.

 

This is a rare photograph of Jews sitting in their Samarkand Succah, circa 1870.
A rare photograph of Jews sitting in their Sukkah in Samarkand, the second-largest city in Uzbekistan, circa 1870.

 

A Hasidic street vendor selling etrogim for last minute shoppers.
A Hasidic street vendor selling etrogim to last minute shoppers.

 

Maayan prepares to decorate the Sukkah with a picture of her sister, Lielle.
Maayan prepares to decorate the Sukkah with a picture of her sister, Lielle.

 

Maayan and Karen work together decorating the Sukkah.
Maayan and Karen joyously work together making the Sukkah beautiful.

 

In school, Lielle made a very special placemat for the Sukkah. I suggested we take a picture. Lielle agreed, but only if she held her placemat upside down. Who am I to argue with such a firmly held postmodern aesthetic?
In school, Lielle made a very special placemat for the Sukkah. I suggested we take a picture. Lielle agreed, but only if she held her placemat upside down. Who am I to argue with such a firmly held aesthetic?

 

Lielle and Maayan with Sukkah decorations.
Lielle and Maayan…

 

Livia Yarden wishes all our friends and relatives a joyous Succot.
… and Livia Yarden wish all our friends and relatives a joyous Sukkot.

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Comments

  1. Thank you for this photo collection of sukkot (or using English grammar, sukkahs). As usual, however, the best photos are of the girls. How wonderful that family was able to join you.

  2. Lovely. Have a wonderful Sukkot. Chag Sameach!

    It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…
    All the Sukkahs are glowing.
    Friends coming and going.
    All full of good cheer!
    It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

    It’s the Hap-Happiest Season of all.
    The lulavs are waving and mitzvos we’re craving,
    It happens each Fall!
    It’s the Hap-Happiest Season of All!

    There’ll be sukkahs for hopping
    And corn will be popping
    And we hope that it doesn’t snow!
    There’ll be food that is cooking
    And we’ll all be looking
    For Ushpizin from long ago!

    It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
    Our hearts will be yearning
    For much Torah learning
    As loved one are here!
    It’s the most wonderful time,
    It’s the most wonderful time,
    It’s the most Wonderful Time of the Year!

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