Stained glass windows
Succot
1. The Succah
Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are homeborn in Israel shall dwell in booths VaYikra 23:42
This panel refers to the Booths or Tabernacles aspect of Succot The Booth, known as a Tabernacle or a Succah, is traditionally built outdoors and the most important part is the roof (schach) through which it must be possible to see the stars on a clear night. It is not specified from which trees the branches for the roof are taken but they must be cut off. By tradition the Booth is a symbol of the destroyed Temple and a reminder of the wanderings in the wilderness. It should be decorated festively and fruits are hung from the roof.
Leviathan and Behemoth are represented in the hope of a share in the feast in the Succah in the Hereafter – All who fulfil the "mitzvah of Succoth" in this one (life), the Holy One blessed be He will grant him a share in the Succoth of Leviathan in the future to come.”
The Lulav and the Etrog, known also as the Four Species, are used in prayers during Succot. They are symbolic of the last harvest and are a gesture of thanksgiving.
2. Ingathering of crops
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruits of the land ye shall keep the feast of the Lord seven days VaYikra 23:39
The sides of this panel are the other possible interpretation of the Succah – cloud by day and fire by night during the wanderings in the desert – and therefore linked to the Exodus, represented here again by the parting of the sea. The crops shown are mainly the seven types of produce represented throughout the agricultural windows, now harvested and put in storage.
Succoth was widely and joyfully celebrated in the days of the Temple. It was considered the most joyful of the festivals and was sometimes called simply The Festival.
3. Hashanah Rabbah
And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your G-d for seven days VaYikra 23:40
The theme for this window is dominated by Hashanah Rabbah, the 7th Day of Succot. This is the Day of Judgment for water and therefore the recurring symbols of the altar and scales are included. The Temple ritual for prayers for water reached a climax on this day and there was a water libation ceremony over the altar in the Temple. In ancient days the water was drawn from a well at the foot of Jerusalem and the vessel used was a golden flask. At the same time, Levites played trumpets and harps, flutes and cymbals. At each part of the water libation ritual, priests blew trumpets. The palm represents the Succah.
The Hashanah is a cluster of willow twigs. In the days of the Temple, willow branches were used to beat the ground in a circle around the altar. In more recent times, after a procession with the Torah around the Bimah, the Lulav and Etrog are laid aside and willow branches taken up – five of them bound with a leaf from the Lulav. At the end of the Hashanah prayers the worshippers beat the branches on the ground and chant a passage. According to Jewish law it is necessary only to beat them five times. Everyone performs this ceremony, including women and children.
4. Simchat Torah
"Let us be glad and rejoice with this law, for it is strength and light for us,"
The day is called Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly. In the Diaspora the next day, which is connected, is called Simchat Torah.
A tradition has grown that this celebrates the ending of the annual reading of the Torah. The people therefore celebrate when they have received the wisdom of the Torah. This theme is symbolised in the window.
As soon as the final portion of Devarim is read, a second scroll is opened and Bereshit begun. In the upper area of this window is a symbol of the reading of first book of Bereshit, showing the physical separation of the light from the darkness. At the base is a symbol for the "light of wisdom", representing the completion of Devarim and therefore the completion of reading the Torah.
The symbol for seven inside the circle stands for the Hakaphot. This is a ceremonial procession around the Synagogue.
Boys under Bar Mitzvah age are also called up to the reading desk and after an adult has recited the blessing, a portion of the Law is read for them while a large Tallit (prayer shawl) is held over them like a canopy. This can be seen at the very top of this window.
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