The mitzvot (commandments) that Moses received to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, can be found in Leviticus 23. When the Jews lived in a world where the Temple existed and was active, the Sukkot festival was celebrated differently from the way we celebrate it today. At that time, worship was conducted in a different way from the Jewish worship of today because the Temple provided for all that the Lord required for authentic worship, including sacrifices, music and sacraments.
After the Temple was destroyed, Judaism changed and developed into the religion and traditions we know today. Here, we want to review the Sukkot commandments and customs as they were practiced in the days of the Temple.
One of the commandments that distinguished Sukkot during the Temple period was that of the libation, or “pouring of the water,” which was performed every morning during the week-long festival by the High Priest. The “pouring of the water” went like this: The priests together with the people went out in the early morning from the Temple to the...
Become a Member
-
Read all member content
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.
-
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel
Connect with Israel, right from your home.
-
Lift up the voice of truth and hope
Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.
Already a member? Login here.
