EVENING SERVICE FOR SUKKOT

[Nightly celebration in an individual family or communal Sukkah]

1. OPENING PRAYERS Leader Who is like unto You, Yahweh, among the mighty ones, glorious in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders, blessed are You, Yahweh. May Your Great Name be blessed forever and for all eternity.

Blessed are You, Yahweh, king of the Universe who has commanded us to dwell in the sukkah.

Reader: May it be Your Will, O Yahweh, God of our fathers, to cause Your divine Ruach to dwell in our midst. Spread over us Your shelter of Shalom, and encircle us with Your majestic glory. We thank You for Your presence with us as Y'shua said, "where two or more are gathered in My Name, there I am in the midst of them."

Keep us mindful and watching for the hour of Your return, when we shall tabernacle with you forever in Your Holy City, the New Jerusalem.

Leader: Blessed, glorified, exalted and to be praised, uplifted, honored, adored and extolled be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He above all blessings and hymns, praises and consolations which we utter, Amen. May there be peace in the world, and say Amen

Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our God is One. Bless His Glorious Name forever, whose kingdom is forever and ever.

2. SCRIPTURE READINGS Day 1 Leviticus 23:33-38; Numbers 29:12-16

Day 2 Leviticus 23:38-44; Exodus 23:14-17

Day 3 Deuteronomy 16:13-17; 31:10-13

Day 4 1 Chronicles 15: 1-3, 25-28; 16: 1-6

Day 5 Nehemiah 8:13-18; Psalm 100: 1-5

Day 6 Psalm 132: 7-18

Day 7 Isaiah 2: 2-4; 4: 2-6; Psalm 135: 1-4, 19-21

3. MESSAGE We are reminded as we dwell in the sukkah that we have no permanent dwelling place here on this earth but are strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land, waiting for the establishment of that greater Tabernacle which all the patriarchs awaited, whose builder and maker is God. We await the greater manifestation of His glory as He promised,

"I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the desire of all nations, and I will fill this temple/tabernacle with glory, .. ..

The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, .. .. And in this place I will give peace, " (Haggai 2: 6-9)

"Thus says Yahweh, 'I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem …" (Zechariah 8:3a);

"I will set My Sanctuary in their midst forever. My dwelling place also will be with them … (Ezekiel. 37:26-27);

“Yahweh of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and His glory will be before His elders” (Isaiah 24:23).

4. THE FOUR SPECIES Leader: Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with his commandments and in the blood of Y'shua the Messiah, and commanded us to raise up the Lulav.

The "Lulav" is made of four types of plants common in Israel representing four types of soil into which the Word is sown -

1. 'etrog' - a tiny citrus which tastes and smells sweet and represents those who know the truth and do it.

2. 'lulav' - the palm branch which has sweet fruit but no perfume and represents those who know the truth and don't do it.

3. 'haddasim' - three myrtle twigs that smell beautiful but have no taste and represents those who do good deeds without knowing the truth.

4. 'aravot' - the two willow branches which have no taste and no smell and represent those who don't have the truth or any good deeds in their life. (the lulav is held in the right hand, and the etrog (citron) is held in the left)

5. HOSHANOT PRAYERS Reader: We are ready and prepared to fulfill Your command, our Creator God, Who has commanded us in His Word, "On the first day you shall take for yourselves the fruit of beautiful trees (citron), branches of palm trees, limbs of leafy trees (myrtle), and water willows; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God for seven days." Leviticus 23:40

Leader: The Holy One, blessed be He, gave this precious commandment to us, in order that we may rejoice before Him with the lulavim according to the ancient custom of one who has just received a verdict of "innocent", joyfully departs waving his banner from the presence of his judge. When the Creator judges the world and pronounces His verdict on those who stand before Him blameless, then the "trees of the woods", the planting of the Lord, will rejoice before Him.

Reader: 1 Chronicles 16:23-36 (Alternative Readings : Psalms 96; 98; 99; 149; Isaiah 61: 1-3; 55:12-13) [Hold the Etrog in the left hand and the Lulav in the right hand. Shake them in each direction 3 times as you say]:

Facing East: Great and mighty is Yahweh, God of Hosts. He alone is King over all the earth.

Facing North: He is my victory and my shield. In Him I will have no fear. His glory and His power surround and preserve me.

Facing West: Behold Yahweh, my God, has become my salvation. His grace is toward all who believe and call upon His Name. Facing South: In Him we will trust. In Him we will be justified. In Him we have become more than conquerors.

Facing East: Surely I will dwell in the house of Yahweh forever. Goodness and mercy shall preserve me all the days of my life. Blessed be Yahweh forever, in the Name of Y'shua haMashiach, Amen and Amen.

6. KIDDUSH Reader: Behold, God is my unfailing help; I will trust and not be afraid. Yahweh is my strength and my song; Yahweh is my Deliverer.

Leader: Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation. Yahweh alone is our help; May God bless our people. The Lord of the universe is with us; The God of Jacob is our protection. Selah! Light and joy, gladness and honor for all God's people; So may we be blessed.

Reader: I will lift the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of Yahweh. (Kiddush is partaken)

7. CLOSING PRAYER May He who makes peace in the celestial heights, make peace for us and for all Israel and say, Amen. You are mighty to save!

On the 7th Day - Hoshanna Rabbah, a circuit is made around the sukkah or the meeting-place ending in a finale of the etrog and the lulav being joined together - the two becoming one. The House of Ephraim and the House of Judah becoming one in the Master's hand. Ezekiel 37:15-20; Ephesians 2:11-13

This service is performed each night either in the Sukkah or in a prepared meeting place. It can be followed by a progressive dinner. The "Four Species", are made of the specified branches as the verse (Lev. 23:43) states, "you shall take for yourself a fruit of the citron tree, a palm frond, myrtle branches and willows... you shall rejoice before the Yahweh your God for seven days."

It is traditional to make these of one Palm branch (the 'lulav"), three myrtle (haddasim) twigs, two willow branches (aravot) and one citron (etrog; a small citrus fruit). The myrtle and the willow are bound on each side of the palm branch using it's spine to hold it in the right hand and the citron is held in the left hand.

MORNING SERVICE FOR THE DAYS OF SUKKOT

1. THE FESTIVAL LIGHTS Wife / Female Leader lights Festival Candles Blessing: Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and in the blood of Y'shua the Messiah, and commanded us to kindle the Festival lights.

Leader: Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us in life, and preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

2. OPENING PRAYER Leader: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" John 1:14

We gratefully acknowledge Your gift of Messiah to us and His constant "tabernacling" with us through the divine Ruach to perfect in us a holy temple in which You will dwell throughout all eternity. We celebrate this feast in anticipation of that day when You will come and tabernacle among us and illumine us with Your shekinah glory.

Pour out Your Spirit upon us this day and Your blessing upon our offspring and grant us that we may drink from the river of life which flows out from Your throne on high. Amen

3. BLESSING THE EMBLEMS Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us in the blood of the Messiah, and commanded us to separate the challah. We break the Bread of Life this day and partake of the covenant which You enjoined with us to be fulfilled in the coming kingdom when we will partake in full, that which we celebrate this day.

Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Amen.

We drink the cup of our betrothal in rejoicing of our union with Him in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

The Challah and the Kiddush are shared. Optional - the Netilat Yadyim ritual follows (washing of hands)

4. CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER Reader: Praise Yahweh to whom all praise is due. Congregation: Blessed be Yahweh to whom all praise is due forever and ever.

Reader We will sanctify Your great and holy name in this world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens, as it is written by Your prophet: "And they call out to one another and say:

Congregation 'Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.' [Isaiah 6: 3] Reader Those facing them praise God saying:

Congregation "Blessed be the Presence of Yahweh from His place." [Ezekiel 3:12] Reader And in Your Holy Words it is written, saying,

Congregation "Yahweh reigns forever, Your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah." [Psalm 146:10]

Reader Throughout all generations we will declare Your greatness, and to all eternity we will proclaim your holiness. Your praise, O God, shall never depart from our mouth, for You are a great and holy God and King. Blessed are You, O Yahweh, the holy One. You are holy, and Your name is holy, and holy beings praise You daily. (Selah.) Blessed are You, Yahweh.

5. SCRIPTURE READING Day 1 - 1 Kings 8: 1-21

Day 2 - Haggai 2:5-9; Zephaniah 3:14-17; Isaiah 24:23b; Zechariah 8: 1-3

Day 3 - I Chronicles 16: 8-36

Day 4 - Jeremiah 3:18; Ezekiel 37:15-28

Day 5 - Exodus 33:12-34; John 1: 1-18; 17: 6-8, 22-23

Day 6 - Jeremiah 31: 1-7, 13-14; Zechariah 14. 6-9 & 16-21

Day 7 - (Hoshana Rabbah) Revelations 20: 1-6; 21: 1-5; 9-23; 22: 1-5

6. MESSAGE

(1st Day of Feast - Holy Convocation)

Israel dwelt in the temporary shelter of the sukkah during their wilderness journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Feast of Sukkot is a prophetic rehearsal of the Millennial era when the Israel of God will be in transition from the kingdom of this world, into the promised age of the new heavens and the new earth.

During the original journey, a canopy of protection was spread over them to shelter them from the heat by day and the cold by night. The cloud of His Presence, His glory, acted as a covering over them -- a tabernacle which was spread over them.

The tabernacle of God will be a shelter from the storm and the heat to protect His people in their wilderness journey into their spiritual inheritance. The cloud of His glory will overshadow and envelop them in their spiritual journey into the new era.

"In that day the Branch of Yahweh (Y'shua) shall be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped (i.e. overcome 1 Corinthians 10:13) ... for upon all the glory shall be a defence -- literally a 'chupah', - a wedding canopy of His protection over His betrothed. Isaiah 4: 2-6

Dwelling in the sukkah is symbolic of the wedding festivities of the Millennial kingdom period, where the Bride and Bridegroom dwell in the Chupah together before she is presented as His Bride to the other guests. Revelation 21: 1-3, 10-21

(7th day of Feast Hoshana Rabbah, which means 'many hoshanas.') 'The Great Hoshana,' - The name of this day comes from the closing words of Psalm 118 which reads: “Save now, I beseech You, O Yahweh... Blessed be he who comes in the name of Yahweh...”

This day is a holy convocation, a solemn assembly and is a festival in itself. (Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35; Exodus 22:30). It is viewed as the end of the cycle which began on the first day of Elul". (Mirrors of Time by Joel Ziff p.235)

"It is on this day that the FINAL SEAL is placed on the verdict that was pronounced on Yom Kippur...the GATES OF JUDGMENT FINALLY CLOSE and the decrees pronounced by God on the Day of Atonement take effect" (The Fall Feasts of Israel, p.198-199).

This final day of celebrating the Harvest, and Ingathering, therefore, pictures the final stage of God's plan of salvation-- It literally pictures the final day of "judgment" and sealing those who will receive eternal life (Rev.20:11-15), as opposed to those who will suffer the second and final death penalty (v.14-15).

The "Great White Throne Judgment" of the second resurrection -- the resurrection of all people who ever lived, who did not qualify to be in the first resurrection, at the coming of Y'shua the Messiah (Rev.20:1-4) will be raised up, to human life, after the 1,000 year period (Rev.20:5-6). They will be judged at that time -- the time of the "Great Salvation," or "Many Hoshanas."

7. PRIESTLY PROCESSION & RECITATION OF HALLEL - chanted (march around altar once each day [7 times on 7th day] while waving the arba'ah and shouting praises to Yahweh God) O give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good! *** For His mercy endures forever. Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise Yahweh.

This is the gate of Yahweh which the righteous shall enter. I will praise you for You have answered me and become my salvation. Hoshanna! Hoshanna! ***

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was Yahweh's doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day Yahweh has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Save now, I pray, O Yahweh; O Yahweh, I pray, send now prosperity.***

Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahweh! ***

Yahweh is God, and He has Made His light to shine upon us;

With boughs in hand, join the festal procession to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will praise You;

You are my God, I will exalt You.

O give thanks to Yahweh for He is good! ***

For His mercy endures forever." *** [Psalm 118]

[Shake lulav slightly as waving a joyful banner in celebration of the redemptive deliverance of the kingdom age at the point where each asterick occurs]

7th Day: After seven processions around the altar (bimah), the lulav and etrog are laid aside and the hoshana bundle, consisting of five willow branches, is picked up. This is beaten on the ground five times in accordance with an ancient custom that was instituted by the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi to symbolise the casting away of the nation's sins (c. 350 B.C.E.)" (The Essence of the Holy Days, p.94). The full Hallel is chanted - Psalms 113-118 during the processional celebration.

7. HOSHANOT PRAYERS (chanted ) Congregation: O do You, send us Your deliverance. For Your sake, O our God, deliver us. For Your sake, O our Creator, deliver us. For Your sake, O our Redeemer, deliver us. For Your sake, O our Guide, deliver us.

Leader: Glorified and sanctified be God's great Name throughout the world, which He has created according to His will.

May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire house of Israel, speedily and soon; and say Amen. May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

8. SONG OR RECITATION "Therefore with joy we will draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12: 2-6; Mishnah, Sukkah 5:1).

9. ADON OLAM Leader: Lord of the world, King Supreme, Before all creation came to be, when by Your will all things were wrought, Your name, O Yahweh, was first made known. And when this age shall cease to be, You still shall reign in majesty.

Reader: He was, He is, and will be All glorious eternally. Incomparable, Yahweh is One. No other can share His nature. Without beginning, without an end. Unto Him, be all glory, power and majesty. Selah.

Leader: Rock of our lives, Shield of our salvation, our strong Hope and Refuge. Deliverer and Saviour, into whose hand our lives are committed for Your keeping. For Your mercy is everlasting and Your compassion's do not fail.

Reader: Prepare our hearts, O Yahweh, for our deliverance from this present world and the return of Your Son, our Messiah, and our gathering together unto Him in the establishment of Your eternal kingdom.

Leader: He Who makes peace in the celestial heights, may He make peace among us, and upon all Israel.

May our eyes behold Your return to Zion and the restoration of Your Presence to Jerusalem, the City of Your Holiness. Amen.

10. CLOSING PRAYER Now unto Him who is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only God, our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

The first and eighth days are holy celebrations on which no work is done. The intervening days are semi-holy days in which no unnecessary work is done. The eighth day of Shemini Atzeret concludes the festive period.