September 26, 2026: Parashah Torah Portion Sukkot - "Tabernacles"
In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Sukkot - "Tabernacles"
Torah Portion: Leviticus 22:26-23:44; Numbers 29:12-29:16
Haftarah: Zechariah 14:1-21
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): John 1:10-14; Revelation 7:1-10; Revelation 21:1-4
Restore Israel Team: Elihana Elia, Dr. Hadassah Elia & Devorah Silva
חג סוכות שמח!
Chag Sukkot Sameach! Happy Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)!
This year, Sukkot began just after sundown yesterday, Friday, September 25th, 2026 (Tishri 15th on the Jewish calendar). This is the LORD's Feast, which He commanded us to celebrate for seven days! During this time, we "dwell" in a sukkah - a hut of temporary construction, with a roof covering (schach) of raw vegetable matter (i.e., leafy branches, bamboo, etc...). The sukkah represents our dependence upon God's shelter for our protection and divine providence. We eat our meals in the sukkah and recite a special blessing (Leshev Ba'Sukkah) at this time.
On the Torah's calendar, there is a quick transition from the somber time of the Jewish High Holy Days of Yom Teruah through to Yom Kippur, when suddenly, after a short interval, we are to rejoice before ADONAI our God, during this week-long festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles)!
If the somber times of Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur focus on the LORD as our Creator, our Judge, and the One who atones for our sins, Sukkot is the time when we joyously celebrate all that He has done for us, with a heart filled with gratitude and thanksgiving unto Him!
In addition to the Sukkah, the most prominent symbol of Sukkot is the Arba'at Ha'Minim אַרבַּעתַ הַמיִּניםִ - The "Four Species" or four kinds of plants explicitly mentioned in the Torah regarding the Festival of Sukkot:
"On the first day you shall take: 1) The product of goodly trees (Etrog), 2) Branches of palm trees (Lulav), 3) Boughs of leafy trees (Hadas), and 4) Willows of the brook (Aravot), and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days"
Leviticus 23:40
We wave the "Four Species", held together as a bouquet with the Etrog and recite a blessing called Netilat Lulav, asking the LORD for a fruitful and blessed year.
The Season of our Joy: Z'man Simchateinu!
Sukkot is effectively the conclusion of the Fall Holiday season and is the last of the three Shelosh Regalim: Three Annual Pilgrimage Feasts: Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot (Deuteronomy 16:16).
It can be argued that Sukkot is the climax of all the Festivals in Scripture! Everything leads to it as a culmination in ADONAI's prophetic plan!
It is interesting to compare the use of words relating to simcha (joy) in the description of these three festivals. Regarding Pesach, the word simcha does not appear at all (Deuteronomy 17:1-8); Regarding Shavuot (Pentecost), it appears only once (Deuteronomy 17:11); However, regarding Sukkot, the word simcha appears several times:
"You shall keep the Feast of Sukkot seven days, when you have gathered in the produce... You shall rejoice in your feast... because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful." Deuteronomy 16:13-15
In fact, in ancient Israel, the joy of Sukkot was so great that it became known simply as "The Feast" (1 Kings 12:32). It was a time of many sacrifices (Numbers 29) and a time when (on Sabbatical years) the Torah would be read aloud to the people:
"10 Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. 13 Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 31:10-13
From a spiritual perspective, Sukkot corresponds to the joy of knowing our sins were forgiven (during Yom Kippur) and also recalls God's miraculous provision and care after the deliverance from bondage in Egypt (Leviticus 23:43).
Prophetically, Sukkot anticipates the coming kingdom of YESHUA HA'MASHIACH when all the nations shall come up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD during the Feast of Sukkot:
"Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles." Zechariah 14:16
"He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." Revelation 21:3
Prophetically understood, the seven days of Sukkot paints a picture of the future Olam Haba (the world to come); The Millennial Kingdom reign of Mashiach Ben David.
If Yeshua was born during Sukkot (i.e., conceived during Chanukah, the festival of lights), then the passage in John 1:14 "the word became flesh and 'tabernacled with us" takes on a whole new meaning, and extends to the coming kingdom age, when He will again "sukkah" (dwell) with us during his glorious reign from Zion!
Today Sukkot is a time to remember God's Sheltering Presence and Provision for us, especially during this time of war in Israel.
As was pointed out earlier, the Feast of Tabernacles serves as an important reminder of how God lived with the Israelites in the desert, when they left slavery in Egypt.
"Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation." Isaiah 32:16-19
Just as ADONAI provided supernaturally for His people in the desert, protecting them, sheltering them and providing for them, we continue to see so many great miracles happening in our midst - even in the midst of difficulties! Yes, indeed, there is a God in Israel, Who is seated on the Throne! HalleluYah!
This is a time of rejoicing - no matter the
circumstances we are facing right now, because ADONAI commands us to!
It's important for us to see the challenges we face, as opportunities to grow in our faith, to focus on His goodness, to grow in our trust of Him, and surrendering ourselves unto Him, at a whole new level!
To choose "beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy, instead of mourning, and a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3
Bringing all of our rejoicing, all of our glory, honor and praise to the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDs, Who has proven Himself to be trustworthy, to be the Shomer (Keeper) of His Word! The Shomer (Keeper) of Israel, Who neither slumbers nor sleeps:
"1I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
2My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3He will not allow your foot to slip; Your Protector will not slumber.
4Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is the shade on your right hand.
6The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.
8The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore."
Psalm 121
The Sukkah reminds us not to regard the idea of material possessions as the ultimate value. It teaches us not to appraise worldly goods too highly. The Sukkah prevents us from becoming too focused on earthly things, from becoming dependent on our own strength, or by our own wealth and accomplishments.
Instead, we are reminded of the fact that even though we are in the world, we are not of this world. We are completely dependent upon ADONAI! He is our sustainer!
"16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
And on Simchat Torah ("Celebration of the Torah"), which this year will fall on Sunday, October 4th, 2026, we will celebrate the Word of God, that brings LIFE to our bodies and health to our bones!
"This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones." Proverbs 3:8
"It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak," 2 Corinthians 4:13
"Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21
Therefore, we speak words of LIFE to one another! We declare the Word of TRUTH over our lives! The Truth of Messiah Yeshua that sets us free! (John 8:32) Setting us free from the heaviness of worries, fears and anxieties!
"18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18
"28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
LORD, we cast all of our cares upon You, because You care for us! And we receive, right now, Your easy yoke, your light burden and a deeper understanding, a deeper revelation of Your perfect love that casts out all fears! We choose to live by faith and not by sight! In YESHUA'S MIGHTY NAME!
And on Simchat Torah, we will conclude the final Torah Portion, and begin anew, the annual Torah-reading cycle, starting with the book of Genesis!
Praise YESHUA for new beginnings!
Amen and Amen!
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Chag Sukkot Sameach from the Restore Israel Ministry Team!
Beautiful Weekly Reading of the Law.