Holiday Traditions, History & Celebrations
7 Things to Know About Sukkot
1. What is Sukkot?
Sukkot is one of Judaism’s three great pilgrimage festivals which celebrate agricultural seasons as well as historical events. Although originating from the ancient harvest festival hag ha-asif, it also commemorates the Israelites who lived for 40 years in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. The holiday’s meaning as an agricultural festival comes from the Torah referring to it as Chag HaAsif or “the Festival of Ingathering.” Its tradition as honoring the ancient Israelites came from the Torah calling it Chag HaSukkot or “Festival of the Booths,” with “booths” related to the huts in which the Israelites dwelled in the desert.
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3. When is Sukkot?
In 2024 Sukkot will take place from sundown October 16 until nightfall October 23. The holiday always takes place 5 days after Yom Kippur and lasts 7 days. The first 2 days of the holiday are a yom tov, in which Jews are not supposed to work, candles are lit, and there is a festive meal. The rest of the days are called Chol Hamoed, when Jews spend time in the Sukkah and shake the lulav and etrog.
2. What is a Sukkah?
From Hebrew, Sukkah translates to “hut” or “booth.” On Sukkot, Jews construct these temporary shelters with at least 3 sides and a roof made of branches or palm leaves which offer shade but allow the stars to be seen at night. Sukkahs are meant to emulate the huts in which the nomadic Israelites lived during their time in the desert and Jews are encouraged to spend as much time in them as possible during Sukkot. On the holiday, the Sukkah is meant to be decorated, eaten in and even slept in.
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4. What is a lulav and etrog?
The lulav, or palm frond, and etrog, a citrus fruit, are among the “Four Kinds,” or the 4 special species of vegetation in Judaism. The other two are hadassim (myrtle twigs) and aravot (willow twigs) although lulav is sometimes used referring to these as it is the most significant among them. The first letter of each of the species in Hebrew spells the name of God and waving them in all 6 directions (right, left, forward, up, down, backward) on Sukkot represents the unification of the name. On Sukkot, special blessings are said over these harvest species each day.
5. What are the “Seven Species?”
The seven species, or shivat haminim, were the primary foods mentioned in the Torah that were eaten by ancient Jews living in Israel. These foods are: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives (used to make olive oil), and dates (used to make honey). Israelites who ate these staples believed the species represented the greatness of God’s creation and God’s generosity towards them. These foods are traditionally eaten on Sukkot and require special blessings that thank God for the fruitfulness of Earth.
6. What is Shemini Etzeret?
While Hoshanah Rabah is technically the last day of Sukkot, Shemini Etzeret (meaning “eighth stop”) is treated as an additional day of the holiday. This is because, in the Torah, God commands the day to be a “sacred occasion.”Jews celebrate Shemini Etzeret similarly to the rest of Sukkot except on this day they don’t shake the lulav and etrog, they aren’t commanded to sleep in the sukkah, and it is the first time of the year they pray for rain, officially recognizing the start of the rainy season.
7. What is Simchat Torah?
Simchat Torah, or “the joy of the Torah” is the holiday that takes place directly after Sukkot and Shemini Etzeret and marks the end, and then immediate beginning, of the annual Torah reading cycle. As the name suggests, it is a joyous holiday when Jews dance with the Torahs, which is called hakafot. It’s favorable to receive an aliyah, or recite a blessing upon the Torah, during the holiday, and the new reading cycle for the year starts right after the last aliyah.
