How To: A Sukkah For Every Budget
- Remnant of Zion
- Aug 28, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2022
Sukkot is just around the corner and if you aren't used to observing the feast day, it can feel overwhelming. One of the hardest parts of Sukkot for a person who is either new to the holiday or is is celebrating on their own, is building or acquiring a sukkah.
(buy the above art piece here)
A sukkah is a temporary dwelling. The Feast of Tabernacles involves dwelling in one of these booths for seven days. In these times, most people spend as much time as they can in their sukkah. If it is safe to do so, they will sleep in it, but oftentimes, people usually just make the effort to enjoy meals inside of their dwelling.
I spent most of my Jewish life in Orthodox communities where there are very strict rules for what makes a sukkah legitimate, or kosher, and while I love that traditional Judaism has helped preserve our ways for so many years, it doesn't have to be so complicated.
"You shall dwell in booths for seven days. " -Leviticus 23:43
So what exactly is a booth?
Well the purpose of Sukkot is to remember that it was HaShem who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, who provided for us in the desert, and who takes care of us every day. A sukkah should help the one who dwells in it remember all of these things which is why sukkot traditionally have only three walls and usually have no fixed roof (palm branches, bamboo, or any kind of leafy branches are used).
The Festivals HaShem gives us were never designed to be complicated or expensive, but they can feel that way when we compare our efforts to that of others. This Sukkot, no matter what your budget or circumstances are, why not try to make a sukkah? Whether it's three chairs and a blanket with a just you and HaShem or an elaborate sukkah for 45, what our Father in heaven sees is the heart, intent, and desire to remember His goodness.
The smallest sukkah can be made into a castle when the presence of HaShem fills it.
Here are a few Sukkot options that consider all budgets and circumstances.
Budget Sukkot
Pop Up Tents/Sukkot
Pop-up Tents are a great sukkah option for people celebrating the festival on their own or with very limited space. These can be put on balconies or even placed in common areas in apartment complexes for a special sukkot lunch.
The below sukkah is designed as a camping or hunting tent, but is perfect for a person who needs a simple solution.
Some might say a sukkah has to be take-apart-able and cannot have a roof, but neither of these thing are in a Torah.
If you want to be able to look at the stars, you can always cut a hole in the top.
The below sukkah is designed for children but can be fun for anyone who is a child at heart. It is already printed with fun decorations. The top is covered, but unzips to reveal the sky. You can find this one on Amazon and through various outlets.
You can purchase pop-up tents on Amazon but for even cheaper on website like Facebook Marketplace or your local online classifieds.
The sukkah below from SukkahOutlet.com comes with a bamboo mat schach (roof covering) that fulfills the orthodox requirement of allowing rain to pass through and the sky being visible. Find it here
Beach Canopies
Search your local online classifieds or Marketplace for a beach canopy. You can easily customize one of these into a fantastic sukkah. Bring an electric lantern, candle or flashlight into your sukkah at night and watch how the soft light makes your sukkah extra cozy and beautiful.
You can drape shawls and blankets over your sukkah to provide the coverage you need. Don't be afraid to take scissors, tape, pins, or a needle and thread to make your sukkah fit your design. This is a festival to YHWH. Use the creativity He gave you! It's not about having a fancy sukkah, it's about doing what you can to remember and rejoice with Him.
Wood or PVC Frames
If you are crafty and have access to wood or PVC pipe, you can build a sukkah from the ground up. There are many instructions on how to do this online.
Here is a list of 13 different sukkot designs:
We'd love to see photos! Send us an email at remnantofzionministry.com. Also email us if you need tips, encouragement, or more. We're here for you.
Local congregations and organizations will often have sukkot visitors can come and visit, but if you don't live near any of these, do what you have to do! It's always better to try and do something to honor HaShem and the holy day and you'll feel better for it. He sees our intentions.
A four-panel room divider could make a sukkah with three walls. Combining two or three room dividers can also make a very nice temporary dwelling for the festival. You can cover the top with a bamboo mat or a blanket.
Room Divider Sukkah
Celebrating Sukkot alone?
It can be hard to go through holidays in the absence of a family or community but know that YHWH is with you. Make it festive even if He is the only one who will see it.
Decorate your sukkah with printed and cut out images of fruit: pomegranates, vines, grapes are all traditional, but let your creativity shine. Set a nice blanket and pillow in your sukkah. Arrange and put together the best meal you can no matter how simple it is. Put on edifying music and read about how faithful YHWH was to the children of Israel and know He will be faithful to you. He loves you.
Enjoy the time with our Abba, Yeshua, and the Ruach HaKodesh. You are never, ever alone.
"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20
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