"WILL I BE SENT TO HELL IF I DON'T SLEEP IN A TENT FOR A WEEK?"

As unbelievable as it is, some years ago, a woman on Facebook was telling everyone they would go to hell if they didn't spend a week in a tent! 

First of all, NO human being has a right to tell anyone they are "going to hell" if they don't celebrate one of the High Holy Days a certain way.  (Deciding where each of us will spend eternity YHWH's job!)  None of us have Moshe or Yeshua here to tell us exactly "how" to do them.  We can only keep them to the best of our knowledge and ability (hopefully with like-minded friends, relatives and/or a group or congregation).

You can read my indepth response to the above at this article on my website.

In the meantime, let's just concentrate on observing the festival of Sukkot without the stress of "doing it right." Unless we were present in the desert with Moshe who received his instructions directly from YHWH Himself, we cannot truly know whether or not we are "doing it right." The main thing is to "do it!"

Sukkot is not a feast where we are supposed to be made to feel "uncomfortable" or "put out" in any way. It is to be a time of REJOICING! Take a look:

Deuteronomy 16: 13 "You are to keep the festival of Sukkot for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing-floor and winepress. 14 Rejoice at your festival - you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the L'vi'im, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you. 15 Seven days you are to keep the festival for ADONAI your God in the place ADONAI your God will choose, because ADONAI your God will bless you in all your crops and in all your work, so you are to be full of joy!

How do you celebrate Sukkot?

If you can't have a Sukkot gathering in someone's field or having a party in someone's backyard sukkah, then simply pitch a tent and enjoy fellowship!  If you can't build a "temporary dwelling" outside for whatever reason, then simply decorate a spot in the safety of your own home where you can sit, read Scripture, and take at least one meal each day, and just "be" with YHWH.) The trick is to just DO it to get the "feel" of the Leviticus 23:43 experience.

It's a joyous time to participate in, and reflect on, the rich history of God's people and just "be" with YHWH for a week.  Remember that the first and last days of Sukkot are the High Holy Days where no work is to be done. 

Chag sameach! (Happy holiday!)