Quick – what two celebrations are required to be done by sitting outdoors in the fall? No, not Halloween or Thanksgiving (though we have has occasion to watch my father in law sit in the driveway deep frying a turkey). Sukkot (Jewish feast of the tabernacles) – well there’s one – sitting outside enjoying your meals along with the yellow-jackets. And? Oktoberfest, of course (an indoor biergarten? Thank you – no.
So how do you get two clearly different celebrations that share so much at their foundations? Oktoberfest, the more recently begun, is clearly rooted in Sukkot (ignore the standard explanation about the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810 – it’s a lie perpetrated by anti-Sukkites) . Granted, Oktoberfest is linked to the solar calendar, and Sukkot to the lunar, but beyond that, there are too many similarities to write them off as not being related. Just pull up the image of a biergarten – it’s merely a sukkah without walls, with a cover of umbrellas or trees. Special outfits may be worn (like on yom tov) along and special songs sung (z’mirot anyone?). And the beer? A direct parallel to Kiddush wine. Finally, Sukkot celebrated in the fall when it’s clearly connected to Passover which is celebrated in the spring (Jews leave Egypt and begin living in the portable huts). How does this relate to Oktoberfest? The beer typically served during Oktoberfest is called Marzen, as it is produced in the month of March – when spring begins.
There are no coincidences.
Given this situation, I feel that it’s only right to bring these traditions full circle. I hereby declare the first Sukktoberfest to celebrated this year on the second day of Sukkot, the fourth day of Oktober.
Etrog flavored beer anyone?
Glossary:
Sukkot - Jewish feast of the tabernacles
Sukkah - non-permanent outdoor hut
Yom tov - Jewish holiday
Z'mirot - Jewish songs of celebration
Etrog - citron fruit - used as a symbol during the holiday of Sukkot