A message from the Israel Tourism Commisioner for North American Consul Rami Levi

Dear Friends:

Sukkot is perhaps Judaism's most colorful holiday, with its building of Sukkot (Tabernacles, or booths, in which the faithful take all their meals), to the rituals that utilize the lulav (palm fronds) and the etrog (citron), to the "rejoicing of the Law" on Simchat Torah.

But there is another aspect of Sukkot too...a momentous biblical precept called Hakhel ("Come, gather together!").  Largely forgotten as the centuries have passed, Hakhel will be reborn this Sukkot, on October 4, 2002, in a ceremony first enacted almost three millennia ago, when the King of Israel read from The Torah to his people at the Temple in Jerusalem.

I invite you to share the dramatic reenactment of this age-old tradition as the President of Israel performs the Hakhel ceremony by reading from the Torah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  And if you are unable to be at the Western Wall in person, you are invited to log onto www.goisrael.com to watch it live.

As Israel and the world faces a new era, the faithful look to God in the quest for peace in Israel and throughout the world.  Sadly, the momentous events of the last weeks have taught us that there are those on this planet who do not share our hope for peace and brotherhood amongst the nations.  So it is doubly important for people of faith and goodwill now to "Come, gather together!" to pray in the tradition of peace and fellowship.

I look forward to your participating in this special ceremony in Jerusalem, either in person or on the Internet.  We hope to have the opportunity of welcoming you in Israel in the very near future.

Shalom,


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