Celebrating Sukkot

This week we've been celebrating the Jewish festival of Sukkot. Many Jews built succahs in their gardens which they use to eat in. It is to commerate how the children of Israel lived after they had been freed from slavery in Egypt. Yesterday we were honored to be invited to dinner in a friends' succah. From the outside, it looks pretty much like a square tent...

But the roof is made of wooden slats. Tradition has it that you must be able to see the stars through the gaps. They are decorated inside with fruits, vegetables and flowers.

The succahs stay up for a week. Some people even sleep in them, but this is probably easier in Israel than in chilly and wet Naperville.

In a way, eating in a succah is like camping, only with proper tables, chairs and candles.

Our hosts even added a standard lamp and heaters.

Unfortunately this has given Grumpy ideas about building one of his next year. Since the whole town knows about his DIY skills, I doubt anyone would risk a visit.