Jewish tradition whispers, "Yes." And perhaps no holiday embodies this more beautifully than Sukkot.
Sukkot, the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles. It's a time we build temporary shelters, sukkot (singular: sukkah), to remember the Israelites' wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. We wave the lulav, a cluster of palm, myrtle, and willow branches, together with the etrog, a citron fruit, giving thanks for the harvest.
But what happens to all this… later?
According to some fascinating traditions, Sukkot isn't just for this world. It's a practice that transcends realms. As Howard Schwartz tells us in Tree of Souls, a collection of Jewish myths, in the World to Come, when Israel is reborn, we will still be waving the lulav and praising God!
Can you imagine? Generations upon generations, continuing the same beautiful ritual.
But it gets even better. The lulav, that humble cluster of branches, holds incredible power. So great is its merit, we are told, that in reward for observing this mitzvah, this commandment, God will bring justice. God will punish Israel's enemies, rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and bring the Messiah. It’s a pretty powerful image, isn’t it?
And the sukkah itself? It won't be left behind either. God will build a sukkah for the righteous in the World to Come! A heavenly sukkah, far grander than anything we could construct here.
And within that celestial dwelling, something truly special occurs. The tradition says that the people will dwell in that heavenly sukkah, and the Seven Shepherds—figures of great spiritual leadership—will visit each and every sukkah, each of the seven days of Sukkot. Think of it: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David, gracing our humble shelters with their presence.
What does this all mean? Well, on the surface, it means that the good deeds we do here have cosmic implications. The rituals we perform now, the joy we express, it all echoes into eternity. It’s a powerful idea, isn't it? That our actions have such lasting significance.
This myth highlights that the mitzvot, the commandments, aren't just empty gestures. They are acts of creation, building bridges between worlds. The Sukkot ritual, in particular, serves as an example of a ritual that will be performed "on high," as Schwartz notes.
So, as you sit in your sukkah this year, waving your lulav and enjoying the company of loved ones, remember that you're not just celebrating a holiday. You are participating in a cosmic drama, a tradition that spans across time and worlds, connecting you to something far greater than yourself. And maybe, just maybe, you'll catch a glimpse of those Seven Shepherds, paying a visit to your humble dwelling.