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Every year, right around the time that many Americans are gazing at the fall leaves, clutching spiced lattes and flocking to the pumpkin patches, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, the harvest holiday commemorating the protection God gave to the Israelites after the exodus from Israel. Egypt.
“Sukkot, an ancient fall harvest festival that predates the Bible, is the Jewish Thanksgiving,” explains Rabbi Dr. Jo David. “It is a time to connect with nature in meaningful ways and reflect on our responsibility as stewards of the earth.”
In addition, Sukkot also commemorates the Jewish diaspora outside the land of Israel, says Mike Gutter, Jewish historical expert and author of Never again still means never again. “Like most Jewish holidays and celebrations, it connects all Jews around the world,” he says. “Jews have always been connected by our religion and customs, and Sukkot is another example that wherever we are in the world, we, as Jews, are always together.”
Read on to learn more about the festive Jewish holiday of Sukkot, how it is celebrated and when it is on the calendar this year.
What is Sukkot and how is it celebrated?
Sukkot is a week-long festival that commemorates the forty years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. During Sukkot, Jewish people traditionally build and live in a temporary hut called a sukkah (the plural of sukkah is sukkot). “Our Sukkot are meant to remind us of the huts the Israelites stayed in as they wandered through the wilderness,” says Rabbi Robyn Frisch.
The roof of a sukkah consists of s’chach, which must come from natural materials that grew from the ground, such as branches, reeds, bamboo and leaves. “Spending time in a sukkah offers the opportunity to connect with nature,” she says. It is also a time to connect with family and friends.
“Sukkot and the practice of living or eating in a sukkah provides meaningful opportunities for spiritual reflection, personal growth and community bonding,” she says, “all while having fun!”
What is done each day of Sukkot?
“The whole holiday of Sukkot is very festive,” says Rabbi David. “Hospitality during Sukkot is extremely important as a way of giving thanks for the bounty of the earth and the compassion of the divine. It is traditional to invite relatives and friends to dine in the Sukkah. In many communities, Sukkah dining is an excellent opportunity to reach people from all religious and cultural backgrounds.”
Furthermore, on every day of Sukkot except Shabbat, the lulav and etrog are central components of the Sukkot ritual. The lulav is a bundle consisting of three myrtle branches (hadasim), two willow branches (aravot) and a palm leaf (lulav also refers to the entire bundle of the palm, willow and myrtle). The etrog is a lemon fruit with a pleasant scent. “Together, the lulav and etrog are shaken in six directions – north, south, east, west, up and down – to symbolize that God is everywhere,” Rabbi Frisch explains.
The seventh day of Sukkot is known as Hoshana Rabbah. On this day, those present in synagogues bring their lulav and etrog for a special procession. During the services, the congregation walks around the shrine seven times reciting the Hoshanot prayers and asking God to redeem the Jewish people, mainly by sending rain. “Additionally, after each procession, congregants would strike the willow branches from their lulav on the ground, an act that symbolizes the attempt to rid ourselves of sins that could influence God’s decision to send rain,” Rabbi Frisch explains.
What is forbidden during Sukkot?
“To maintain the spirit of the holiday,” said Rabbi Frisch, “there are some things that are traditionally forbidden on Sukkot.”
The first of these practices is work. The first two days of Sukkot (or just the first day, depending on the community) are holidays. Therefore, as on Shabbat, many types of “work” (including cooking, writing, and using a telephone or electronics) are prohibited. “While this may sound oppressive to those who are not used to it, forgoing work can have the positive effect of removing other responsibilities and distractions, allowing you to focus on the joyful aspects of the holiday,” says Rabbi Frisch.
In addition, it is forbidden to live indoors, because “the most important commandment for Sukkot is to live in the sukkah,” Rabbi Frisch explains. “During the holidays, people are expected to eat, sleep and spend as much time as possible in the sukkah. Barring rain or other extreme weather conditions, Jewish tradition requires us to spend as little time indoors as possible during the holidays.”
However, it should be noted that there are many types of Jews, and while some take the requirements literally, others may not follow all (or some of) the traditional holiday rules. Many Jewish people do not have their own sukkah, but visit one belonging to another friend, family or community member. Others spend no time in a sukkah at all during the holidays. “Also, the level of observance of some Jews can change throughout their lives,” notes Rabbi Frisch.
When is Sukkot in 2024?
In 2024, corresponding to the Hebrew year 5785, Sukkot begins at sunset on October 16 and ends at nightfall on October 23.
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