In the interest of helping Adat Shalomers further their enjoyment of Sukkot at Sukkot potlucks and throughout the Hag, the Religious Practices Committee presents the following (fictional) Frequently Asked Questions (and answers):
Dear Inquirer:
Thank you for your questions. Surely you don't expect to get any answers from Adat Shalom's Religious Practices Committee that claim to tell people what they must do to "do it right" in their sukkah!!
Just in case it might be of interest, though, here are answers to your questions from one part or another of Jewish tradition (which as you know gets a vote "not a veto" in orthodox Reconstructionism).
If you have some wine, why not? Sukkot is Zeman Simchatenu, the season of our rejoicing!
There is a fine one on pp. 626-627 of Kol Haneshama for evening kiddushes. For an in-sukkah lunch, or if you only have time (or patience) for a two-line version, you will find it on pp. 464-465.
Absolutely! One hasn't fulfilled the mitzvah of "dwelling" in a sukkah until one has eaten there a piece of bread at least the size of an olive (or some other combination of food considered to constitute a meal, with its appropriate blessing). Blessing: the usual ... hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.
See the preceding question. The bread doesn't have to be challah, but what could be better?
On Erev Sukkot (the first night, 4 October in 1998). On the second night if you want to follow conservative/orthodox practice here in the Diaspora. On 9 October 1998 (for shabbat!). And one or two more times more for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (but they are not really part of Sukkot). Blessings for the Yom Tov candles are on pp. 530-531 of Kol Haneshama. Blessings for Shabbat candles are on pp. 4-5.
Traditionally, distinguished guests (Ushpizin) are welcomed to the sukkah. Abraham is welcomed on night 1, Isaac on night 2, Jacob on night 3, Joseph on night 4, Moses on night 5, Aaron on night 6, and David on night 7. You can probably get a neat old-fashioned poster, with authentic pictures of these guys and the traditional greeting, at either of the Jewish bookstores in Wheaton. You can also get your lulav/etrog set there. (See the last item below.)
Obviously, we are making this tradition up as we go along. One community has chosen Miriam, Leah, Hannah, Rebecca, Sarah, Tamar, and Rachel, the order supposedly reflecting their respective Kabbalistic significance. Another community invites Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Abigail, and Esther, roughly in harmony with the men. Last year, the President invited Bathsheva every night, but this year he got caught.
No. Yes.
We are supposed to enjoy ourselves in the sukkah. Therefore, If it rains hard enough in the sukkah to spoil food, or if it is cold enough in the sukkah that food congeals, one is exempt from eating there. "One who is exempt from remaining in the sukkah and does not leave is called an ignoramus, will obtain no reward for staying there, and is not permitted to say the benediction," says the Shulchan Aruch. So there.
Next year, try asking about how to know if a sukkah is really kosher, when to build it, and what to put in it.
We can also talk then about the Arbaah Minim and Jewish Indian giving.
The lulav and etrog are not covered in depth this year because they are used mostly in the synagogue. Nonetheless, it adds a nice touch – and it's considered a mitzvah – to bench lulav (meaning wave it with the blessing, not dead-lift from a prone position) in your own sukkah. If you have them, you may want to show and explain them to guests and say the appropriate blessing. Resist the temptation to touch or smell them improperly.
--- Your friends from the Religious Practices Committee, September 25, 1998