Dear friends!

I congratulate all the Jews with one of the most important holidays - Sukkot! This biblical Jewish holiday startedyesterday and will last until October 23. These days, people have to remember the most important thing: even if you are very rich, remember about poverty. Wherever you live, God will protect you and give prosperity.

Thus Jews revere the memory of 40-year journey of the Jewish people from Egypt to the Land of Israel. Then the Israelis lived in huts and hoped only aboutthe mercy of God. Now, when people have strong and reliable homes, in appreciation they migrate for temporary houses, to fulfill the commandment of ages.

This festival is extremely special because people are used to build a special tent - sukkah. It has to be placed on the open air, in the yard or the balcony. Walls can be reduced with any material, but the roof should be built only by the branches. It is also important to decorate sukkah with 7 fruits, which are the abundance of the Land of Israel: wheat, olives, barley, dates, figs, pomegranates and grapes. All the men of the family have to live in this lovely hut for a week. Although now the Jews do not follow this tradition completely, they spend meal times and sleep in sukkah.

Another important tradition is the rise Lulav. People are used to take over and bless the four plants. In one embodiment, each one represents a specific body part. Etroh (citrus fruit) means heart, palm leaves - spine, branches of myrtle - eyes and willow - mouth. Together, they represent a man who devoted all his heart to God.

This holiday is well-known by Ukrainian. Since the ancient times they called it "Jewish booths", and believed that Jews can control the weather. Even the prominent Ukrainian writer Ivan Franko wroye about it. He told that the Jews of Prykarpattia liked it, when it was raining during the "booths". It meant that they they would get a lot of money.

Friends, in Torah Sukkot is called "time of joy." I wish each of you to find this joy in the heart, despite any challenges and difficulties. Although Ukraine is going through difficult times now, we should know that they will pass, and this land will be in peace. Remember the example of our ancestors: they proved that if you believe and strive for the best, it will come. Enjoy every moment and appreciate every passing day!