SUKKAH (EGO exposed to the light)
We move out of our confined outer space (sealed, inflexible, housing) through the birthing canal to the greater world filled with hope and promise, looking skyward to draw infinite light to break into the filter of ego
Screen=s'chach, which has dual purpose of protecting from intense light and filtering the light in through a gradual 6 day process; the more light, the less ego
SCHACH ("ch" + "vav" (2 middle letters) =26=4 letter name of God (YHVH)=transcendent unknowable name of God
("s" + "hey"=65=Adonai=internalized name of God
Together adds up to 91: AMEN=affirmation of letting in just the right amount of light and filter. Y-H-V-H is the light that gives A-donai the Vessel, to receive in the KOS—cup ("ch" + "vav" + "s" with "h" God's spiritual energy
Hapores sukkat shalom—who spreads the canopy of peace over us=moment of mercy between cause and effect, between light and vessel, between selfish ego and higher self
On Sukkot, the Light is seeking to be housed by the Vessel. The sukkah is the womb by which New Life, New Energy is born.
First step is "Being Here" as opposed to "Getting There," creating spiritual bank Second step: channeling light back in form of sharing, giving to bank in order to receive dividends
Affirmation: I am ready to remove the ego of my sealed heart to receive the light of God's spirit, screened by the canopy of peace
Action: Look to the sky and transform yourself from a vessel of receiving to a vessel of sharing
Mantra: "Ha-Rachaman hu yakim lanu et sukat David ha-no-fehlet (Oh Merciful One, please raise the shattered parts of our selves) [i.e. Make our lower selves our higher selves!!!]
MAYIM=TORAH
(cleansing, satisfies thirst, spills over boundaries)
SUKKOT IS GREATEST HOLIDAY OF JOY-SASSON because we make ourselves vessel for collecting water
Affirmation: I am prepared to become a vessel to draw waters of healing
Action: take vessel and have someone else fill with water wishing abundance to the recipient
Form circle and be prepared to share water with the next in endless chain to nullify the ego that begins to take shape after YK's ego emptying
Mantra: "ushavtem mayim b'sasson meemaynay hayeshua" (You shall draw water with joy from the wells of salvation).
RH + YK is birthing process
Water breaks, and our higher selves shine through, as in breaking out of the cocoon
But this process makes us vulnerable: (1) we start fresh but (2) our labor intensive-efforts drain us. We are frightened by momentary suspension of ego. Water quenches dryness and begins to refill in us as vessels to cleanse and prepare for light of sukkah so that ego will not creep back
ARBA MINIM
(4 species) taken from near water=uniting soul and body=egoless world.
Because without focus and drawing in, ego searches out for endless pleasures
Lulav=spine=body=levels of spiritual energy, from kindness to yesod=foundation=:6 days of festival
Etrog=soulHieart=malchut9 7th level of spiritual energy Myrtle — spice to energize soul=eyes that seek light
Willow=mouth to make declaration
Affirmation: I am united in body and soul to represent my dedication to God
Action; Take lulav (with 2 species) and unite with etrog, moving the lulav in 6 directions, unifying all our disparate thoughts, and tapping into the 6 sefirot of kindness, strength, beauty, victory, glory, and foundation, ultimately drawing down light of God's spiritual energy
Mantra: "Hodu la=A-donai ki tov, ki L'olam chasdo" (Give thanks to A-donai, his kindness extends to each of us)
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