Conservative Judaism/Feast of Tabernacle

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Expert: - 8/13/2006


Question
Age: 35 years     Religious affiliation: Non-denominatinal, Charsmatic



I have heard that during the last day of the Feast of Tabernacle, a large vessel would be filled with water and carried into the tabernacle.  The water would be poured out on the alter.  Is this accurate?  

Answer
Dear Denny,

Thanks for writing. In short, the answer is yes.

The Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah, 5:1-4

For the Simchat Beit HaShoaevah,  they illuminated the court with massive torch-like candlelabra. Then men selected for piety danced with torches while Levitical musicians played all sorts of instruments.

Every day, a libation of wine was poured on the altar after the burning of the daily sacrifice. During Sukkot=Tabernacles they poured a libation of water.

Water and prayers for rain are critical to the holiday, in order to promote a rainy season such that the acquifers, the cisterns, and the ground will be ready for the first plowing of the next planting season.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov  

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

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I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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