The Feast of Cukkot
By NeorahYah Germaine Yisra'el

'And Yahuah spoke unto Mosheh, saying, Speak unto the children of Yisra'el, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Cukkot for seven days unto Yahuah. On the first day shall be a Set-Apart assembly: you shall do no servile work therein. Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahuah: on the eighth day shall be a Set-Apart assembly unto you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahuah: it is a Set-Apart assembly; and you shall do no servile work therein.
~Leviticus 23:33-37~
'Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep a feast unto Yahuah seven days: on the first day shall be a Shabbat, and on the eighth day shall be a Shabbat.
And you shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahuah Elohaykem seven days. And you shall keep it a feast unto Yahuah seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations: you shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
~Leviticus 23:39-41~
Occurring at the fall harvest season, the Feast of Cukkot is the last of the seven Mo'edim mentioned in Leviticus Chapter 23: 1-44. Mo'edim is translated as 'Appointed-Times." They are opportunities for Yahuah to interact with His Chosen People, and vice versa. We should consider them, quite literally, as appointments with Yahuah, Elohaynu. From a physical point of view, the Feast Of Cukkot should be observed as a joyous occasion before Yahuah; a celebration of thanksgiving for the bounty and blessings He bestows. As stated in the scripture above, we are to recall that we lived in sukkahs when Yahuah brought us out of Egypt. Spiritually, Cukkot is a time for Yisra'el to reflect on the Second Coming of Yahushua, HaMashiach; the End-Time event when our Mashiach returns as our king, to pitch his sukkah on earth, and dwell among his people. That is the two-fold essence of the Feast Of Cukkot.
So what exactly is a sukkah?
Strong's Concordance definition: (H5521) sukka: dwelling, booth, tent, pavillions, tabernacle.
Below you will find examples of modern day sukkahs,
Strong's Concordance definition: (H5521) sukka: dwelling, booth, tent, pavillions, tabernacle.
Below you will find examples of modern day sukkahs,
And biblical sukkahs. Notice that in the middle and left pictures below, Yahuah was with His people. He came down, and was in the temple. He was on Mt Ciynai, which was also His temple, His sukkah at that time. Hence they were not to come near it.
A sukkah is a temporary shelter built of branches, and other natural materials; and decorated with the fruits of the harvests. They are enclosed on three sides, had an open veil or flap, with the 'roof' consisting of goodly foliage, boughs, or other material of a structure that would allow the stars to be viewed at night. As you can see in the first group of pictures, they could be built anywhere; and in ancient times they were often constructed in gardens, city squares, on rooftops, in streets; wherever there was space to accommodate the large numbers of pilgrims journeying to Yerushalom for the eight day feast.
The Tabernacle of the Assembly, where Yahuah descended to the Holy of Holies; and the Tent Of Meeting, where He descended to speak with Mosheh, were both sukkahs. Hence the name, Feast Of Cukkot/Booths/Tabernacles.
Here is the Torah concerning the sukkot:
'And you shall dwell in sukkot seven days; all that are Yisra'el born shall dwell in sukkot: That your generations
may know that I made את eth-the children of Yisra'el to dwell in sukkot, when I brought them out of the land
of Egypt: I am Yahuah, Elohaykem (Yahuah, Your Mighty One).' ~Leviticus 23:42-44~ (emphasis mine).
The first mention of Sukkot in the Scriptures is found in Genesis 33:17:
'And Ya'aqov journeyed to Sukkot, and built him a house. and made sukkot for his cattle; therefore the name
of the place is called Sukkot.'
The last mention of Cukkot is found in Zechariah 14:16-19, and is a warning to those of that age:
'And it shall come to pass, that everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Yerushalayim, shall
even go up from year to year to worship the king, Yahuah, Tseva'ot, and to keep את eth-the
Feast of Cukkot. And it shall be that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Yerushalayim
to worship the King, Yahuah, Tseva'ot, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not
up, and come not, that have no rain, there shall be the plague, wherewith Yahuah will smite את eth-the
heathen that come not up to keep את eth-the Feast of Cukkot. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the
punishment of the nations that come not up to keep את eth-the Feast of Cukkot.'
Clearly, the Feast of Cukkot is pretty important to Yahuah. It is so important that he will cause worldwide drought throughout the nations that refuse to comply with His commandment. One of those nations will be Egypt, or cities of Egypt. It doesn't sound as if Egypt will remember the events of the last time they tested Yahuah; because He is saying He is going to bring a plague against them again.
To recall, there were ten plagues or judgements brought against Egypt; each one more grievous than the last; and
culminating with the death of the firstborn of man and cattle. Although it is not mentioned in scripture which plague Yahuah will levy against them, who would willingly challenge the Mighty One Of Hosts, and potentially risk death?
But why is this feast special?
'And you shall dwell in sukkot seven days; all that are Yisra'el born shall dwell in sukkot: That your generations
may know that I made את eth-the children of Yisra'el to dwell in sukkot, when I brought them out of the land
of Egypt: I am Yahuah, Elohaykem (Yahuah, Your Mighty One).' ~Leviticus 23:42-44~ (emphasis mine).
The first mention of Sukkot in the Scriptures is found in Genesis 33:17:
'And Ya'aqov journeyed to Sukkot, and built him a house. and made sukkot for his cattle; therefore the name
of the place is called Sukkot.'
The last mention of Cukkot is found in Zechariah 14:16-19, and is a warning to those of that age:
'And it shall come to pass, that everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Yerushalayim, shall
even go up from year to year to worship the king, Yahuah, Tseva'ot, and to keep את eth-the
Feast of Cukkot. And it shall be that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Yerushalayim
to worship the King, Yahuah, Tseva'ot, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not
up, and come not, that have no rain, there shall be the plague, wherewith Yahuah will smite את eth-the
heathen that come not up to keep את eth-the Feast of Cukkot. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the
punishment of the nations that come not up to keep את eth-the Feast of Cukkot.'
Clearly, the Feast of Cukkot is pretty important to Yahuah. It is so important that he will cause worldwide drought throughout the nations that refuse to comply with His commandment. One of those nations will be Egypt, or cities of Egypt. It doesn't sound as if Egypt will remember the events of the last time they tested Yahuah; because He is saying He is going to bring a plague against them again.
To recall, there were ten plagues or judgements brought against Egypt; each one more grievous than the last; and
culminating with the death of the firstborn of man and cattle. Although it is not mentioned in scripture which plague Yahuah will levy against them, who would willingly challenge the Mighty One Of Hosts, and potentially risk death?
But why is this feast special?
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 says:
'And you shall observe the Feast of Cukkot seven days, after that you have gathered in your threshing floor and
your wine: And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant,
and your maidservant, and the Leviyiy, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates.
Seven days you shall keep a solemn feast unto Yahuah, Elohayka in the place which Yahuah shall choose:
because Yahuah Elohayka shall bless you in all your increase, and in all the works of your hands, therefore
you shall surely rejoice...'
We were given a guarantee, a surety; that Yahuah would continue to bless Yisra'el provided we obeyed his commandments. The Yisraelites were to live in the open under the stars. This was to be a period of reflection on all that He'd done for them; bringing them out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Parting a sea so that they walked on dry land; providing quail and manna when they were hungry, and water when they were thirsty. Giving them His Torah to govern themselves righteously above all the nations; remaining faithful to them when they were unfaithful. Driving out the heathens so that they entered a land flowing with harvests ready to reap. Making rain to fall, so that the crop would be bountiful year after year. This was the purpose of the Feast of Cukkot. They were to remember that He did all of that for the people He chose to be a priestly nation; the ones called by His Name. They were to rejoice before Him and remember: Yahuah Yireh.
'And you shall observe the Feast of Cukkot seven days, after that you have gathered in your threshing floor and
your wine: And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant,
and your maidservant, and the Leviyiy, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates.
Seven days you shall keep a solemn feast unto Yahuah, Elohayka in the place which Yahuah shall choose:
because Yahuah Elohayka shall bless you in all your increase, and in all the works of your hands, therefore
you shall surely rejoice...'
We were given a guarantee, a surety; that Yahuah would continue to bless Yisra'el provided we obeyed his commandments. The Yisraelites were to live in the open under the stars. This was to be a period of reflection on all that He'd done for them; bringing them out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Parting a sea so that they walked on dry land; providing quail and manna when they were hungry, and water when they were thirsty. Giving them His Torah to govern themselves righteously above all the nations; remaining faithful to them when they were unfaithful. Driving out the heathens so that they entered a land flowing with harvests ready to reap. Making rain to fall, so that the crop would be bountiful year after year. This was the purpose of the Feast of Cukkot. They were to remember that He did all of that for the people He chose to be a priestly nation; the ones called by His Name. They were to rejoice before Him and remember: Yahuah Yireh.
So there would be no confusion, He gave them explicit instructions on how to keep this feast, as He did with all of His Mo'edim.
1. The 1st Day is a Weekly Shabbat; the 15th Day of the Monthly Count. ~Leviticus 23:35~
2. They were to bring a Burnt Offering for Seven Days. ~Leviticus 23:36~
3. The 8th Day is a Weekly Shabbat; the 22nd day of the Monthly Count. ~Leviticus 23:36
4. A Burnt Offering is made on the 8th Day. ~Leviticus 23:36~
5. A Shabbat on the 1st Day, and a Weekly Shabbat on the 8th Day. ~Leviticus 23:39~
6. On the 1st Day rejoice with beautiful trees, branches of palms, willows of the brook, and boughs
of thick trees. ~Leviticus 23:40~
1. The 1st Day is a Weekly Shabbat; the 15th Day of the Monthly Count. ~Leviticus 23:35~
2. They were to bring a Burnt Offering for Seven Days. ~Leviticus 23:36~
3. The 8th Day is a Weekly Shabbat; the 22nd day of the Monthly Count. ~Leviticus 23:36
4. A Burnt Offering is made on the 8th Day. ~Leviticus 23:36~
5. A Shabbat on the 1st Day, and a Weekly Shabbat on the 8th Day. ~Leviticus 23:39~
6. On the 1st Day rejoice with beautiful trees, branches of palms, willows of the brook, and boughs
of thick trees. ~Leviticus 23:40~
Strong's definition of boughs
(H5589, 6056, 6057, 6288, 7730): leafy branches, tangle of branches.
(H5577, 6529): fruit, produce, crops, fruit cluster of the date tree.
(H5688): ropes, ties, fetters. Thick foliage. wreaths. thick branches.
(H6286): glorify, honor, adorn, endow with splendor.
(H5589, 6056, 6057, 6288, 7730): leafy branches, tangle of branches.
(H5577, 6529): fruit, produce, crops, fruit cluster of the date tree.
(H5688): ropes, ties, fetters. Thick foliage. wreaths. thick branches.
(H6286): glorify, honor, adorn, endow with splendor.
*Side Note: You may've heard mention of 'The Four Species' during Sukkot. They are simply:
1. The fruit of beautiful trees.
2. Palm branches.
3. Boughs of leafy trees.
4. Boughs of willows of the brook.
1. The fruit of beautiful trees.
2. Palm branches.
3. Boughs of leafy trees.
4. Boughs of willows of the brook.
Continuing with Yahuah's instructions:
7. The 1st Day, and the 8th Day are Set-Apart; you do no servile work. ~Leviticus 23:35-36~
8. Every native-born in Yisra'el shall live in sukkah for 7 Days. ~Leviticus 23:42~
9. All generations of the children of Yisra'el are to remember we lived in sukkahs when we came
out of Egypt. ~Leviticus 23: 41-43~
In other words; this is what Yahuah is saying:
'At the reaping of your harvest, take the First Fruit of your produce, and the First Fruit of your crops, along with the branches of beautiful,
leafy trees, and tie them into wreaths, and thick foliage for your sukkahs. Then come before me with palm and willow branches; and in delight,
and with joy, and remember that it is Yahuah, Tseva'ot who provides.'
Yahushua and the Feast of Cukkot
The Spring Feast Days and the Fall Feast Days represent two periods in history where Yahushua interacts with mankind. The spring feasts testify of Yahushua's First Coming; simply put; he came for us, he atoned for us, he is risen for us. The Fall Feasts are important because they prophesy of a sequence of End-Time events, highlighted by his Second Coming. To understand the sequence we should have an understanding of Yahuah's Calendar, and learn to correctly count the days,
To review:
6 Days are given to mankind to work in the Earth; the 7th Day is the Shabbat of Yahuah: it is a day of rest.
1 Day is with Yahuah as a 1000 years, and a 1000 years as 1 Day.
6000 years are ordained for mankind, to complete the work; then Yahushua will return, bringing peace and 1000 years of Shabbat rest.
The 8th 'Day' follows the end of Yahushua's Millennial reign, and will usher in a New Heaven, and a New Earth.
A simple 6 - 7 - 8 formula.
See: The Eighth Day
The moment of Mashiach's return cannot be ascertained, however Yahuah's Calendar allows us to unravel the mystery of the timing of the events. We can know what age we are in, by recognizing the signs we are given. Remember the parable of the fig tree. Yahushua gave us a clear hint:
'Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that
summer is nigh: so likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near,
even at the doors.' ~Matthew 24:32~
Yahuah Bless!
~NeorahYah Germaine Yisra'el~
Go to: Yahoshua and the Feast of Cukkot