Last day of Sukkot

A rather subdued day after the wild celebrations of the release of Schalit and the Palestinian prisoners. Military presence is till tight around the City and roads that lead to it. Today being the last day of Sukkot, many Jews go to the Wailing Wall to pray and wave the 4 species in prayer (Citrus fruit, willow branch, Palm branch and myrtle branch). The tents or booths they erected will be pulled down tomorrow. But tomorrow marks another feast - Simchat Torah - the joy of the Torah. Tonight they will bring out the Torah scrolls and dance, and they will include gentiles to join in as well. On this last day of Sukkot, 2000 years ago when there was the Temple, the High Priest would offer a sacrifice of water drawn form the Siloam Pool. Prayers are then said for rain in winter.

The weather is getting very cool now. Wearing a jacket or pullover in the evenings is a must. Winter has set in. We await the rains.