D15
We are to live in a sukkah during the seven days of Sukkot.
Category: Days & Seasons
Type: Positive
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated, optional
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFo - Gentile female, optional | GMo - Gentile male, optional | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- John 7:1-3
Key OT Scriptures
-
Leviticus 23:42-43
-
Nehemiah 8:14-17
Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent
Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
The Leviticus Scripture referenced above commands that all citizens of Israel are to live in sukkot for the seven days of the Feast (of Sukkot ), and it gives the reason - so that each generation of Israel will remember God's provision of shelter for us when He brought us out of Egypt. Although the expression "citizen of Isra'el" might be construed to mean only those Jews who live in the Land, the expression that follows it - "the people of Isra'el" - broadens its meaning to include all Jewish People, wherever in the world they may live. I believe it is also applicable to Gentiles who permanently live within the Jewish community ( K'rovei Yisrael ) because those whom God brought out of Egypt were a mixed multitude that consisted of both Jews and Gentiles ( Exodus 12:38 ). That may be part of the explanation for why worshiping God on Sukkot is required of all the Gentile nations ( Zechariah 14:16-19 ). Living in a sukkah during the Feast is not a requirement for Gentiles who are not K'rov Yisrael , but they may do so if they deem it meaningful. The matter of how often one must physically occupy a sukkah during the seven days of the Feast, and what functions one must perform there in order that it be counted as "dwelling" is a matter of interpretation, especially in the Diaspora where climate and other considerations have to be considered. A minimum standard that is common among Diaspora Jews is to eat at least one meal each day in a sukkah . John 7 references a Sukkot Feast that Yeshua attended, but there is no description of the sukkah in which He must have lived during the seven days. Nevertheless, the theme of Sukkot (which is living under God's provision and protection) is very much a New Covenant theme, with Yeshua, Ru'ach HaKodesh and the B'rit Chadashah Scriptures being the main New Covenant provisions.
Classical commentators
Maimonides says relatively little in his mitzvah - merely that we are to live in a sukkah throughout the seven days of the Feast. Meir is much more detailed, adding that the sukkah must have a roof of branches, and that we must eat, drink, and otherwise live in it both day and night to the extent that one must not eat even one regular meal outside of it. HaChinuch expounds on the biblical reason for living in a sukkah , speaks a great deal about its structure, and is much more liberal than Meir in how much "living" one must do in it. He states, for example, that on the first night of Sukkot one must eat at least an olive's amount of bread in a sukkah and, after that, it is voluntary. HaChinuch also focuses on bread by stating that meals other than "regular meals of bread" may be eaten outside of a sukkah , but he adds that the early sages would not eat any meal outside of a sukkah during the Feast.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MP35
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2