by Lynda Kohn

Created on: November 28, 2008

There are people who say Sukkot is the Jewish Thanksgiving. I think Thanksgiving is the US Sukkot, since the reality is the Jewish holiday is thousands of years older than the US holiday. Sukkot goes back to the days of the Exodus. Bible Historians believe the era of the Exodus is Ancient Egypt.

Some bibical scholars, theologians, historians think the US holiday Thanksgiving originated with the ancient Hebrews. They very well may be right. The evidence is the fact that much of the late November special day and The Festival of Booths themes are of giving thanks.

Sukkot pronounced either suCOAT or SUK oth celebrates the harvest and a thanking of the yearly harvest. It is still observed by many Jews today, worldwide. It is known as the "Festival of Booths" because generally speaking, Orthodox and some Conservative Jewish people dwell under special structures during Sukkot. Sukkot lasts for seven days. Its inspiration is the original Hebrews giving thanks for the years harvest. Sukkot means booth in Hebrew. To some Jews the booths remind them the LORD is their shelter.

Sukkot is meant to be celebrated joyously. It is a time to
be thankful and give praise to Creator for one's bounty.
"you shall have nothing but joy." [Lev. 16:15]
Jewiah people build a sukkah, a harvest booth, where their meals are eaten. Some sleep in the booths during the festival. It is in remembrance of the booths their ancestors may have lived in the duration of their four decade Sinai journey. These are still used by farmers in the Middle East today.

There are cultures worldwide who givie thanks, one way or another to the yearly harvest. One of these cultures included the ancient Hebrews with their observance of Sukkot. Modern day Jews still observe this holiday that is knwown too as the Feast of Tabernacles. My writing will show the relationship between this holiday and the Pilgrim's first Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrams, considering themselves to be good devout Christians, held the teachings of the Old Testament in high esteem. They tried to incorporate the teachings of the Holy Scripture into their lives. One way they did it was to incorporate Jewish Holidays into their special days.

One example of this would eventually be known as Thanksgiving. The first such celebration was in 1621 with a feast with the American Indians. It lasted for three days. The pilgrims were grateful the Native Americans were friendly and there was enough food, drink for everybody.
In 1863 US President Abraham Lincoln officially

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