The holiday of Sukkot is z’man simchateinu – time of our rejoicing. A time to build a sukkah – that rickety, temporary hut where we celebrate and live, remembering harvests and journeys. It is our delight to build the finest sukkah we can, decorate it in the most beautiful ways we know how, and prepare delicious meals. Of course, the celebration is incomplete without guests. It’s much more fun to celebrate with others, and the holiday takes on a deeper significance when it is shared. Sukkot is the ultimate opportunity to engage in the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim – hospitality. But on Sukkot we do not just invite friends and family. One Sukkot custom that became popular in the Middle Ages, based on the mystical text known as the Zohar, was to invite "invisible" guests to the sukkah along with "visible" ones.
"When you sit in the sukkah, 'the shade of faithfulness,' the Shechina spreads Her wings over you and... Abraham, five other righteous ones, and King David, make their dwelling with you...Thus you should rejoice with a shining countenance each and every day of the festival together with these guests who lodge with you..."(Zohar Emor, 103b). (http://www.ritualwell.org/holidays/sukkot/primaryobject.2005-06-21.1818936006)
Each night of Sukkot, a prayer would be recited asking a biblical figure to come and visit in the sukkah. The seven ushpizin –guests - were usually Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David.
Various traditions, both medieval and modern, invite female guests, or ushpizot, to the sukkah as well. According to the tradition of Medieval Italian kabbalist Menachem Azariah of Fano, the ushpizot are Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah and Esther, because these women are distinguished in the Talmud as prophetesses. Other traditions include biblical figures such as Rebecca, Leah, Rachel, Dinah, Tamar, or Ruth. Likewise, others include a list of historically significant Jewish women such as Dona Gracia de Nasi, Emma Lazarus, and Hannah Szenesh. (1)
Young children love to be guests, and love to receive guests. “Can I go to Sophie’s house to play?” “When are grandma and grandpa coming?” A doorbell ringing sets off a wave of small feet racing to open the door. A visitor to the classroom creates an excited swarm. Sukkot in an early childhood program is a time of great excitement, with sukkot being built and decorated inside the classrooms as well as outside the building. By Sukkot, children have had enough time to settle into new classes and are ready to show off what they’ve been doing. Often it is the opportunity to invite families, grandparents and special friends to the school. But these should not be the only guests invited to the sukkah.
Inviting ushpizin and ushpizot each day elevates and expands the joy of Sukkot. Introducing Jewish figures like Abraham, Miriam, King David and Queen Esther to the celebration of Sukkot connects a young child sitting in the sukkah to their brave acts and wisdom. Through the celebration of Sukkot, we want to immerse our children in the big ideas of hachnasat orchim and the rich expanse of Jewish history. We are part of a long chain of incredible Jewish people, part of a very long relationship to God. We help to strengthen the chain by inviting guests to the sukkah, both the flesh and blood generations – friends, parents and grandparents – and the “way back” generations – people for whom we hold their stories instead of their hands.
When children visit a sukkah, the trip is filled with singing, shaking, smelling, decorating; it’s a very exciting time. In the midst of all this activity, “invisible” guests are a bit difficult to focus on. Children and teachers can welcome the Ushpizin each day with the same ritual, possibly a song (“Are you sitting, are you sitting, Ushpizin? Ushpizin? Come in-n to our sukkah, come in-n to our sukkah, every day, every day.” to the tune of Are you Sleeping/Frere Jacques, as one example.) or an excerpt from the traditional blessing, such as “Ti-vu, ti-vu, ushpizin!” (oifityE` Eaiz Eaiz Be seated, be seated, Guests!) Ushpizin must be introduced with a bit of flair and drama, perhaps also with some props and pretend. They must have a story. Following are stories for the traditional list of ushpizin as well as the list of ushpizot that I felt was most relevant and familiar to young children, specifically Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, and Esther. Most of these characters are familiar from Genesis, the first book of the Torah. Those who are not found in Genesis are noted below.
Day One: Abraham and Sarah
Abraham is the first Jew, and Sarah is his wife. They are the models of hachnasat orchim, so it is exceedingly appropriate to invite them to our sukkah on the first night of Sukkot. Encourage children to talk about why Abraham and Sarah were such good hosts, and how they too can be good hosts.
One hot day, when Abraham was old, he was sitting in the entrance of his tent. Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw three men approaching. He ran to greet them, bowed low to show them respect, and begged them to stay and be his guests. “Please do not pass me by! I will bring water for you to wash your feet, for they must be dusty and tired from walking through this desert. You can rest under this tree. I will bring you some bread, as I am sure you are hungry. Then you can continue on your way.” The three men said, “That sounds great. Do as you have said.” Abraham ran to get everything for the guests. He rushed to the tent where Sarah was. “Sarah, we have guests. Quickly, please use the finest flour to make bread and cakes!” Sarah was glad to help and quickly got to work. Abraham ran to the cattle and chose a fine calf. He asked his servant boy to help him prepare it. As soon as all the food was ready, Abraham brought the feast to his guests. He stood with them while they ate, in case they needed anything else.
When they finished eating, the three men stood and asked, “Where is your wife, Sarah?” Abraham told the men, “There, in the tent.” When Sarah heard her name she put her ear close to the entrance of the tent, so she could better hear the men talking. One of the men said, “I will come back next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah laughed with surprise and joy. She thought to herself, “What a wonderful surprise to have a baby when I am so old!” (You can invite that son tomorrow).
Day Two: Isaac and Rebecca
Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah, and Rebecca is his wife. They each get their own story, highlighting their strongest moments. In each story, a well plays a crucial role.
Rebecca
One day, when Rebecca was a young girl, she went to the well in the center of her town, with a large clay jar, to fetch water for her family. When she arrived at the well, she saw a man there who she had never seen before. The man looked tired. He had ten camels with him, and the camels looked tired too. Rebecca filled up her jar, and then the man came up to her and said, “Please, let me sip a little water from your jar.” “Of course you may drink,” said Rebecca. She lowered her jar and let him drink. Then Rebecca said, “I will also bring water for your camels.” This was a very big thing to do! Camels can drink a lot of water, and water is very heavy to carry! But Rebecca went back and forth from the well to the camels until the camels were finished drinking. Then the man asked if there was room at Rebecca’s house for him and his camels to stay overnight. Rebecca said, “Of course! Follow me.” When they got to Rebecca’s mother’s house, the man told them all that he had come from Abraham to find a wife for Isaac. The man said, “Rebecca was so kind to me at the well. Can she come back with me and marry Isaac?” Her brother Lavan said, “Yes.” In the morning, the man said, “It’s time for me to take Rebecca back to marry Isaac.” But Rebecca’s mother and brother said, “Wait! That’s too soon. Let her stay her for a little while and then she can go with you.” But the man said, “I must get going as soon as I can.” And Rebecca bravely said, “I will go now.” So Rebecca rode on one of the camels across the desert. When she saw Isaac, she jumped from the camel. When Isaac heard of the kind and brave things Rebecca had done, he loved her, and they were married right away.
Isaac
Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, lived with his wife Rebecca and their sons in the wadi of Gerar. Years before, Isaac’s father Abraham had lived there, and Abraham had dug wells, so he could have water. The wells had filled up with dirt, so Isaac dug them again. When he found water in the first well, the other people living in Gerar said, “That water belongs to us!” Isaac didn’t want to fight with the people, so he moved, and dug up another of his father’s wells. When he reached water, the people came and said, “That’s our water!” Again, Isaac was strong enough not to fight with the people, so Isaac moved again. He dug up a third well, and this time, no one argued with him over the water. Isaac named the well Rehovot, and said, “Now at last God has given us enough space to live in this land!”
Day Three: Jacob and Rachel
Jacob was one of Isaac and Rebecca’s sons, and Rachel was his favorite wife. There is also a well in their story.
Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebecca, set out to go to the home of his Uncle Lavan, his mother’s brother. When he got to Lavan’s town, he came to the well, where the people were gathering with the sheep. He asked the people at the well, “Do you know Lavan?” The people said, “Yes, and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.” The well was covered with a large stone. When all the sheep were gathered around the well, the people would roll the stone off the well so the sheep could drink the water from the well. When Jacob saw Rachel, he loved her right away. He rolled the stone off the well so her sheep could drink. Then Jacob kissed Rachel. He told her that he was her relative, and she ran to tell her father Lavan. Lavan was very happy to meet Jacob, and invited him to stay with them. Jacob told Lavan, “I want to marry Rachel. I will work for you for seven years so I can marry her.” Lavan said, “Ok. Stay and work for me for seven years.” So Jacob worked for Lavan for seven years, but it seemed like only a few days, because he loved Rachel so much. Many years later Rachel and Jacob had a baby boy named Joseph (who you can invite in a few days).
Day Four: Moses and Leah
Moses was the leader who led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt and through the desert for 40 years. Moses received the Torah from God at Mt. Sinai and brought it to the Jewish people. Leah was Rachel’s sister and was also Jacob’s wife. While she was the less favored wife, she bore him seven children.
Moses
Moses lived for a time shepherding sheep in Midian. One day he was with the sheep far into the wilderness, and he came to a mountain. There Moses saw a bush that was on fire but was not burning up. Moses turned to look at the bush more closely. God called to Moses from the bush and said, “Moses! Moses!” and Moses replied, “Here I am.” God said, “Do not come any closer. Take off your shoes, because the place you are standing is holy. I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. God said, “I know how much the Jewish people are suffering in Egypt because of slavery. I will rescue the Jewish people from Egypt and bring them to Israel, a land flowing with milk and honey. I shall send you to Pharaoh and you shall take my People out of Egypt.” Moses was afraid, and said to God, “Who am I that I should do this great thing, and take the People out of Egypt?” God said, “I will be with you.” Moses said, “But I am afraid. I can’t do it. I can’t speak very well. What if they don’t listen to me?” God began to get angry with Moses. God said, “I will send your brother Aaron to join you, and speak for you. With your staff – your walking stick – you will make magic and wonders. Go to Egypt and take out the Jewish People.” So Moses went to Egypt. He met his brother Aaron (who you can invite tomorrow) and with God’s help, was able to take the Jewish people out of Egypt and lead them to freedom across the Sea of Reeds.
Leah
Leah was Lavan’s daughter, and Rachel’s older sister. When Jacob was about to marry Rachel, Lavan decided that the older sister should get married first. So he hid Leah under the veil at the wedding, and Jacob married Leah instead of Rachel. Jacob was pretty upset, so a week later, he married Rachel also. (In the days of the Torah, a man could have more than one wife at the same time. We don’t have that rule any more. But we did learn something from Rachel and Leah. Today, at Jewish weddings, the groom lifts up the bride’s veil before the wedding, to make sure he’s got the right girl! ) God saw that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, so God made it easier for Leah to have babies. Over time, Leah had six sons. She also gave birth to Jacob’s only daughter, named Dina.
Day Five: Aaron and Miriam
Aaron was Moses’ older brother. Miriam was Aaron and Moses’ sister. The Talmud says she is a Prophetess, and hold it was she who foresaw that Moses would be born and redeem the people from slavery.
Aaron
Aaron was not only Moses’ older brother, who helped Moses speak to Pharaoh. After God freed the People from slavery in Egypt, they lived in the desert for 40 years, learning to be a free people. Aaron became the Kohain Gadol – the High Priest, which means he was in charge of helping the People learn to live the way God wanted them to live. Aaron wore very special clothes, to show what an important job he had. He wore a robe that was gold, turquoise, purple and scarlet, with little bells around the bottom. He wore a breastplate, on his chest, made of gold, with 12 stones in it to remind the People of the twelve sons of Jacob, who became the 12 Tribes of Israel. Today, we do not have a Kohain Gadol, but we dress the Torahs like Aaron, the Kohain Gadol, was dressed, so we remember how we are supposed to live.
Miriam
When Miriam was a young girl, her parents had a baby boy, a little brother for Miriam. The Jewish people were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and Pharaoh had said No Jewish baby boys! Miriam’s mother hid the baby for as long as she could, and then, Miriam helped her mother take the baby build and ark - a little boat - for the baby, and float the baby down the Nile River. Miriam stayed near the ark and followed it until she saw that Pharaoh’s daughter herself open it and take out Miriam’s baby brother. Gathering all her courage, and being as brave as she could be, Miriam went up to Pharaoh’s daughter and asked her if she needed someone to help raise the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter was glad for the help, so Miriam brought her mother, the baby’s mother, to Pharaoh’s daughter. Pharaoh’s daughter asked Miriam’s mother to take care of the baby for her until her was old enough to come and live in the Palace. Pharaoh’s daughter named the baby Moses. When Moses grew up, he left Egypt for a time, but came back at God’s bidding to take the Jewish People out of slavery and out of Egypt. Moses was a great leader of the Jewish People, but Miriam was also a great leader. After the People crossed the Sea of Reeds, Miriam took her timbrel – a small, joyful instrument – in her hand. All the women took their timbrels and Miriam led them in dancing and singing, giving thanks to God for bringing them out of Egypt.
Day Six: Joseph and Deborah
Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel. He was Jacob’s favorite son because Rachel was Jacob’s favorite wife. Deborah was the Bible's only female judge and the only judge to be called a prophet. Her story is told in Judges 4 and 5.
Joseph
Joseph was a dreamer. He dreamed that he was in the fields cutting wheat with his brothers. In the dream, his bundle of wheat stood up straight, but his brothers’ bundles bowed down to his. When Joseph told his brothers about the dream, it made them really mad. Then Joseph had another dream. In the dream, the sun, moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him. His eleven brothers were even madder about this dream. To get rid of him, they sold Joseph to be a slave and he was taken to Egypt. With God’s help, Joseph was able to interpret dreams, to tell people what their dreams meant. Before too long, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had some strange dreams and needed to know what they meant. Joseph helped the Pharaoh out, and soon was helping to rule in Egypt. There came a famine throughout the land, but not in Egypt, due to Pharaoh’s dreams and Joseph’s interpretations. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, and in the end, Joseph’s dreams came true – his brothers did bow down to him.
Deborah
Deborah was a prophetess and a judge. She would sit under a date palm tree, and the people would come to her with their problems, so she could help them figure out the truth and solve their problems. In times of war, Deborah guided the warriors. She told her friend Barak what God had commanded, and how to fight the war so it would be over quickly. Deborah sang songs of praise to God, and helped bring peace to the land of Israel for a long time.
Day Seven: David and Esther
David was the greatest King of Israel. He ruled after Saul, the first King of Israel. His story is told in Samuel I and II. Esther was the heroine of Purim; her story is told in Megillat Esther - the Book of Esther.
David
David was a shepherd. He guarded his father’s sheep with kindness and wisdom, leading them so they would always be safe. David played the harp, a beautiful instrument. Saul, the King of Israel, was sometimes troubled, and called for David to come and play the harp for him, to calm him and make him feel better. David would play beautiful music until Saul felt ok again. God saw David and decided he should be the next king in Israel. Saul was not so happy about David being the next king, and he became very angry with David. David ran away from Saul and hid in the hills. Saul and his soldiers chased after David. David found a small cave and climbed inside to hide. Saul was not far away. Suddenly, a spider climbed onto David’s nose. David tried to brush it away, but the spider said, “David, I can help you.” David said, “Oh spider, you are too small to help me.” But the spider climbed to the entrance of the cave. Quickly the spider spun a beautiful web across the entrance of the cave. Just then, Saul and his men spotted the cave. One of the men said, “David could be hiding in this cave!” But Saul said, “No, that’s impossible. Look at the spider’s web, covering the entrance. If David had gone in there, he would have broken the web.” Saul and his soldiers rode away to continue looking for David, and David was safe. David said to the spider, “Thank you for saving me. Now I know that no one is too small to help another.” In time, David did become King of Israel instead of Saul. He was a great king who led the people with wisdom and bravery.
Esther
When Esther became the Queen to King Ahasuerus, she became braver that she ever knew she could be. When her uncle Mordecai told her that Haman was planning to hurt the Jews, at first Esther thought there was nothing she could do. Who was she, just a kind girl who had somehow won the king’s love and become the queen? But Mordecai reminded Esther that she could make a difference, and save the Jewish people. He told her, “Maybe you have become the queen just so you could save the Jews.” Esther gathered together her faith and her bravery and told Mordecai, “Go, assemble all the Jews who live in Shushan, and fast in my behalf; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens will observe the same fast. Then I shall go to the king, even though I am not allowed to go to see him without an invitation. If he shall be angry, then let him be angry.” The king was happy, not angry, to see Esther. She was clever and brave, and she saved the Jewish people from wicked Haman!
The stories of the ushpizin and ushpizot can be told with puppets, flannel boards, asking the rabbi or others to dress up, and so on – I am confident that early childhood educators do not need much direction in how to tell a story. Just be sure to invite these guests, and tell these stories. Bring these stories to life in the sukkah, and give children the tools to act out the stories further on their own and to act out the mitzvah hachnasat orchim. And it will truly be z’man simchateinu – the time of our rejoicing. (2)
(1) According to Chaim Moshe haLevi at http://www.jewishmosaic.org/torah/show_torah/42.
(2) Beautiful banners listing the names of the ushpizin and ushpizot (in Hebrew and English) listed in this article, created by Galia Goodman, can be seen at http://www.sukkot.com/decorations.htm. For more information on ushpizot and beautiful Ushpizot posters, visit http://www.ritualwell.org/holidays/sukkot/