Sukkot - Gratitude to Earth and Spirit

From the far reaches of Yom Kippur we land in Sukkot, the festival of earth’s generosity. On Sukkot we bow in gratitude for the nourishment we receive from earth and spirit, and plant intentions for the New Year. The tradition calls us to gather an etrog, with branches of the myrtle, palm and willow trees, and shake it in 4 directions—and toward the heavens and earth, giving thanks for earth’s bounty and asking for guidance and blessing. As we enter the festival of Sukkot this year, we can gather branches and fruits from our home ground and with our hands and hearts, bow in each direction, offering gratitude and asking for help to live into our dreams and intentions.

Intentions for the Sukkot Offering in each direction

We begin facing east, then south, west, north, up, down and then to the heart

EAST

Ruach Spirit

Vision, Perspective

We give thanks for the gifts of new beginnings and possibilities

And open to gifts of insight and perspective

SOUTH

Aish Fire

Passion, Creativity

Devotion

  We give thanks for the abiding

Love that sustains us

and open to passionate inspiration

WEST

Mayim Waters of Life

We give thanks for the wisdom bestowed by the

Unfolding Mystery

As we ask for bitachon, the trust to engage

And be participants in the unfolding

NORTH

Adamah Earth

Ancient Wisdom

We honor our ancestors

And all the earth.

As we open to their wisdom

We vow to live in reverent relationship

With all life and act well for the sake of all who will come after us.

UP: Into the heavens, to all that is beyond our knowing—we give thanks and ask to live with awe.

DOWN:  Into the earth—our home—we give thanks and ask to live well in relationship with all beings.

BACK TO THE HEART:  We give thanks and ask to live with compassion and to act from love.

Love and blessings,

Rabbi Yael

We sit together, moving from the heights of Yom Kippur to the rootedness of Sukkot. Listen to the recording of this morning's Meditation Sit with Rabbi Yael Levy.