Bein Hazmanim is here!

So, with the two major high holy days over, it's time to kick back a little....

But first, we have to start the preparations for the next big one: Succos.

My parents aren't coming this year, so I have to make a succah by my own place. Last year, we were supposed to build one, but everybody kept procrastinating and waiting 'til it was to late. This time, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

After waking at the crack of noon ( not to worry, I davened t sunrise and then went to sleep), I got dressed and began. Firt, I had to get measuring tape. Then, I had to take all the measurements for the succha. After determining the height and lengths of all the walls, I was ready to get the materials. Luckily, the wooden frame was still up from two years ago, so I didn't need to start hammering planks of wood together; all I needed was some sheeting for the walls and palm branches for the roof.

The search for the best sheeting took some time, not only to find the right type, but the best price. Not to sound cheap, but at this point, I have laid out for everything. On top of all that, it has to be reasonable enough for everyone to chip in willingly afterwards. Finally, I got the stuff, and hauled it all back to my apartment. I began attaching the sheets to the frames, and it was harder than expected. After about an hour and a half, I was finished, and I stepped back to survey my work. The sheets were really nice, with designs and pictures on it, and everything.

Much to my chagrin, I realized that I had put the sheets on upside down.

Screw it. I had come this far, there was no turning back. I set off to find branches for the roof. A few blocks from my apartment, there was a kid selling branches at five shekel a pop. I bought fifteen, because I wasn't exactly sure how much I would need, but this was definitely going to be used. I figured if I needed to, I could come back and get more.

Now came the ordeal of dragging them back to my place, and they were very heavy. I had to cross one of the busier streets, and almost got hit in the process. Then, when I got to my building, I had to shlep it up four flights of stairs. My God...I thought I was going to have a hernia. But I finally got it up, and set to work putting them on to of the succah. By eight in the evening, our succah was done, and I did it all bu myself! Granted, if I had had help, it probably wouldn't have upside down designs on the walls, and a sagging roof, but who cares, right? I did it myself, and I'm not the handiest of people. 'm the guy who the pointedly keep away from the power tools....

Anyway, I hope everybody enjoys their holidays!

Originally posted Thursday, 5 October 2006