Since 16 October 2024, there has been a hut in Neustadt with a leaking roof. How is that? Botched up construction - right?
None of this is true. The Jewish community has built such a building next to its synagogue. It is a leaf hut, a sukkah, on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). There are centuries-old rules for this: The leaf hut must stand in the open air, not under a tree or roof. The roof must be made of plant material that is no longer connected to the roots. The stars must be visible through the roof. So no botched construction after all! Some Jews live in it during the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, even at night. The Feast of Tabernacles also includes good food.
Where does the tradition come from?
The Bible tells of the Jews' exodus from Egypt in the book of Exodus. They then had to build the cities of Ramses and Pithom as slaves for the Egyptian pharaoh. They escaped the yoke by fleeing through the desert for 40 years. During this time, the Jews lived in the open air. The leaf hut with its permeable roof is a reminder of this.
Even if the story is not historically proven: It is kept alive in the consciousness of the Jews, including in their prayers. Not only at Passover, which dedicates a separate evening to the memory of the escape from Egypt.
The building of the Tabernacle
More than 50 Jews and non-Jews came together for this year's Feast of Tabernacles. Among them were guests from more than ten nations. Rabbi Akiva Weingarten explained the significance of the Tabernacle for today: ‘It should also remind us that a solid roof over our heads and good food are not a matter of course for everyone.
Where was the Tabernacle built?
Directly adjacent to the synagogue in Eisenbahnstraße is a wasteland. Jewish and non-Jewish volunteers cleared the site of building rubble, levelled it and thus created the conditions for planting the future garden of the religious community. The construction of the arbour marked the beginning of the site's use.
The leaf hut will remain standing for a few more days. Then it will be dismantled and only rebuilt next year for the Feast of Tabernacles. And again with a leaky roof.
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