Okay, admittedly, this was my first year of officially preparing my own sukkot. What? I know.
I have celebrated the High Holidays for the last couple of years. However, it wasn't until the day before Sukkot 5784/ October 2023 (or perhaps the day of) that I decided to build my own sukkot.
It was a humble site, but boy was it delicious. I called it a spiritual spa bath.
Like many others, I read the 
Torah/Tanakh (as I do daily) therein. My meals were enjoyed surrounded by the clouds of glory by day and the fire of light by night. Literally.
While I am used to meeting with the ancient ones, I must admit how surprised I was each morning to have been aware that the Divine was soaking in my Sukkot each night. I don't think my sukkot had any other particular merit that any others. It's the thoughts I entertained during my meditative time therein perhaps that mattered most.
Let's be clear. I am told the Patriarchs visit everyone's sukkot. But never forget the Matriarchs too. They also visit as well.
Who am I that sees the Ancients? I am no one. But my GOD is everything.
Everyone who celebrates sukkot and the High Holidays should feel special. Your thoughts are no less important, so I won't divulge mine here. I don't want anyone to compare their thoughts and prayers to others.
All prayers and meditations for the good are necessary and important.Your prayers and praise are a sweet smelling offering of incense to the Most High.
I don't have much to say about the lulav at present. I will say this. It doesn't matter if you are Jew or Gentile, you must have Torah/Tanakh and/or mitzvot (charitable deeds) to thrive in the Messianic Era.
Your heart covenant with Almighty GOD does matter. That is everything.
I didn't have many day visitors except a family friend who came from a far the first day. He and his wife graciously enjoyed a coffee and danish in my humble sukkot.
In case you're wondering, my sukkot was on my front porch. It was covered wall to wall by delicate bright white tool material. The sides were white with shimmering glitter that sparkled in the late afternoon. I didn't have enough lights for the top and bottom so I lined the middle with a string of lights where the two worlds meet.
Oh, when the wind blew gently, the walls shimmered. It was both mystical and unexpectedly soulfully satisfying.
There was nothing super glamorous per se from the outside that would draw anyone to enter. However, not only is it a commandment for all eternity in the Torah/Tanakh, but it is the ultimate kiss of blessing, love and mercy from GOD. It truly is an embrace from GOD. I felt it and truly enjoyed it.
"You shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 23
As we each develop our own vessels to receive the day of Moshiach, we can contemplate the fragility of our own being. One may initially think him or herself to feel vulnerable to eat, study, work and sleep in the sukkot. (By the way, I only ate my meals, studied, and meditated/prayed in my sukkot.)
But for a brief moment, one is able to see the delicacy and the trust GOD also needs for us to sustain a vessel meriting the everlasting presence of the Most High whose goal was always to have a place in the earth to dwell. We, my friends, are that earthen vessel. Our unity creates a larger collective earthen vessel that can only then sustain the Light that is to come.It's too much for any one of us to do alone.
Watch the full length version of this video Lessons from Kohelet a succot shiur by Rabbi Sacks
"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" Exodus 25:8
Moses is a rare entity who could see GOD face to face and live. However, with daily reading of the Torah/Tanakh, we increase our ability to welcome and survive the coming day of the Moshiach and the overall Messianic Era.
Many of you have started. I hear that your vessels are being built quite well. Don't stop. It's a lifelong journey. It's something you will want to teach and cherish with your own children as it was always intended.
"Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:18-19
Yes, it is possible to see the face of GOD and live. However, like the great Prophets of yesteryear and the former Hebrew slaves, you may be initially overwhelmed and faint. But the LORD will revive and sustain those who are prepared. Be ready. It's real. And it truly is a glorious experience.
Lastly, I've mentioned it many times before, but I think it's worth repeating. Your charitable mitzvot (giving deeds) to those who teach Torah is something very special. It can put you leaps and bounds ahead each year. I highly recommend it.
Put it on auto-pilot with automatic giving each day, week, month, or year. Test it for your self (per Malachi 3:10). It's the only place in the Tanakh/Bible where GOD literally encourages you to put Him to the test.
Give where you learn. Give where they teach Torah/Tanank consistently. Give where they teach without prejudice as to who can or can not receive the Torah/ Tanakh teachings. That's good Wisdom. (Proverbs 8)
I assure you. Many will be surprised as to who is or is not of the 12 tribes. Teach all.
Even a stranger willing to learn and abide by God's Laws (as given to Adam, Noah and Moses) are welcomed. All other laws and judgements are retained by the soul when reading the Torah and Tanakh. Let GOD discern.
“Seek out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and His Spirit it has gathered them.” Isaiah 34:16
Mazel, Bracha and Sweet Shalom.
LeTicia
Watch My Love is One TELL THEM!
#ReadTorahDaily
Shema Yisrael Adonai. Eluheinu. Adonai echad.
Hear O' Israel. The LORD is our GOD. The LORD is One.
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