What Is Sukkot?

(the Time of Our Joy)—a festival of celebration, gratitude, and hospitality.

Biblical Foundation

The Torah commands:

בַּסֻּכֹּת תֵּשְׁבוּ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים... לְמַעַן יֵדְעוּ דֹרֹתֵיכֶם כִּי בַסֻּכּוֹת הוֹשַׁבְתִּי אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּהוֹצִיאִי אוֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם

Translation: You shall dwell in booths for seven days... so that your generations shall know that I caused the Children of Israel to dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. (Leviticus 23:42-43)

The Sukkah

The sukkah is a temporary hut with a roof of natural materials (schach) through which stars are visible. For seven days, Jews eat—and many sleep—in the sukkah, experiencing the vulnerability and divine protection their ancestors knew in the desert.

Building the Sukkah

Construction begins immediately after Yom Kippur. The sukkah must have at least three walls and a roof of cut vegetation—branches, bamboo, or corn stalks.

Decorating

Families decorate their sukkah with fruits, pictures, and ornaments, making the temporary dwelling festive and beautiful.

The Four Species

The Torah commands taking four species (arba minim):

Lulav (Palm Branch)

A closed frond of the date palm.

Etrog (Citron)

A fragrant citrus fruit held separately.

Hadassim (Myrtle Branches)

Three bound with the lulav.

Aravot (Willow Branches)

Two bound with the lulav.

These are waved in six directions during the Hallel prayers, symbolizing God's presence everywhere.

Ushpizin (Guests)

to the sukkah—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David—one each night. Modern practice often adds the matriarchs.

Simchat Beit HaShoevah

In Temple times, Sukkot featured joyous water-drawing celebrations with music and dancing. Today, special celebrations echo this ancient joy.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

) and Simchat Torah, celebrating the completion and new beginning of the Torah reading cycle.