‘And you shall be glad on your holiday, and you shall be only joyful.” (Deut.16 verse 14)
The pilgrims who arrived in Jerusalem at the Temple’s courtyard during Sukkot came with the purpose to rejoice greatly in the Lord! The focus was the daily ceremony during this feast surrounding the commandment to pour water on the altar – the water libation – which mainly took place in the Women’s Court where the Levites praised God with their musical instruments. The Sages noted that one could never witness this event without experiencing true joy!
As each evening during the festival approached, people made their way down to the Court of the Women. There were golden candlesticks fifty cubits (over 80 feet) high with four gold bowls placed on them.
Four ladders led to the top of each candlestick, and four young priests climbed the ladders, holding in their hand large jars of special Temple oil which they poured into the golden bowls. Wicks to light the oil were made from discarded priests Temple
service clothing.
At this special time of celebration, people performed extraordinary feats. Some of the Temple priests could be seen holding burning torches in their hands while singing Psalms and praising the Lord. The Levites played musical instruments whilst they stood on the fifteen steps which led down from the Court of Women in the Temple.
Two priests were stationed at the Upper Gate of the Temple with trumpets. As the roosters crowed at the first light of dawn, they blasted their trumpets as they ascended the steps. They continued walking until they reached the gate which led to the East, whereupon they turned to face the West and declared:
“We belong to God and our eyes are turned to God.”
All this was done to honour the commandment of the water libation (based on Mishna, Tractate Sukkah, Chapter 5).
Everyone, men, women and children participated in the water libation; some directly, while others stood and watched. Special elevated balconies were constructed to enable the women to watch the men of the Sanhedrin as they danced.
The celebration continued throughout the entire night, lighting up the city so brilliantly that there was no courtyard in Jerusalem which didn’t reflect the light of the great candlesticks illuminating the festival of the Water Libation.
At dawn, the assembly proceeded to the spring of Siloam at the foot of the walls of Jerusalem. One priest carried with him a special golden decanter and filled it with the sparkling spring water. Then the crowds ascended again to the Temple, led by the priest who bore the golden vessel. When they arrived at the Temple, he brought the decanter to the altar and poured the water into the silver cup at its corner.
This ceremony was connected to the rainfall of the coming year and was accompanied by prayers for a blessing on the earth and its produce.
Each morning a procession of priests would go down to the Pool of Siloam accompanied by men and women dancing to the Lord with music and much rejoicing. While the priest drew the water, all of the other priests recited the following verse from Isaiah chapter 12 verse 3:
“You shall draw forth water in joy from the wellsprings of salvation (Ushavtem mayim b’sason mimayney haYeshuah).”
These words have been popularised by a Jewish circle dance called ‘Mayim, Mayim’ (Water, Water).
The Pool of Siloam symbolised the ‘wells of salvation,’ and the Hebrew word for ‘salvation’ is very close to the name of our Messiah Jesus.
Back at the Temple, there were always thousands of people waiting for the procession to return from the Pool of Siloam who was announced by a three-fold trumpet blast. The musicians played on their instruments, and everyone began singing the Hallel. (Psalms 113-118)
Festivities continued throughout the week until the seventh day of ‘Hoshanah Rabba.’
It was here that Jesus made a bold proclamation:
“Now on the last and most important day of the feast, (Hoshana Rabbah) Jesus stood and called out [in a loud voice], “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! 38 He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as
the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’” 39 But He was speaking of the [Holy] Spirit, whom those who believed in Him [as Saviour] were to receive afterward. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honour). John chapter 7 verses 37-39
Jesus, our ‘Living Water’ will bring spiritual and lasting refreshment for those who ’come to him and drink.’ In the Millennium age, all nations will celebrate Sukkot and representatives from each country will come to worship the Lord in Jerusalem. (Zechariah 14:16)
