Sukkot

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Sukkot

The Sukkot Experience

On the holiday of Sukkot, we are commanded to dwell in temporary shelters or booths, as our ancestors the Israelites did in the desert after the Exodus. The commandment to "dwell" in a sukkah can be fulfilled by simply eating all of one's meals there. However, some people learn Torah and even sleep in the sukkah.
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Building a Sukkah is a memorable and fun family experience. Children of every age can help.

According to Jewish law, a sukkah must have at least three walls. A sukkah may be any size, so long as it is large enough for you to fulfill the commandment of dwelling in it.

There is a tradition in our family to build the Sukkah right after breaking the Yom Kippur fast. Thus, this sukkah is being built at night.

The roof of the sukkah must be made of material referred to as sekhakh, which means "covering." Sekhakh must be something that grew from the ground and was cut off, such as tree branches, corn stalks, bamboo reeds, sticks, or two-by-fours. Sekhakh should be sparse and left loose enough so that the stars can be seen. Sukkot decorations

It is common practice, and great family fun, to decorate the sukkah. Some of these decorations are old ones taken out of storage, and some are new ones the children made this year. What could be more fun for children than building and decorating their very own "home."

On Sukkot, Jews are commanded to use Arbat HaMinim, the four species, to "rejoice before God." The Four Species are: 1) Etrog (lemon-like citrus fruit) 2) Lulav (palm branch) 3) Hadas (myrtle branch) 4) Arava (willow branch). The three branches are bound together and referred to collectively as the lulav.

With the Four Species in hand, Jews recite a blessing and wave the species in six directions (east, south, west, north, up and down) to symbolize that God is everywhere. The four species are also held during the Hallel prayer. Etrog Esrog

Each day during Sukkot, there are special processions in synagogue around the Torah. The etrog and lulav are held during these processions. These processions, called hoshanas because during the procession a prayer with the refrain hoshana (please save us) is recited, commemorate similar processions around the altar of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

The Sukkah

On the holiday of Sukkot, we are commanded to dwell in temporary shelters or booths, as our ancestors the Israelites did in the desert after the exodus. The word "Sukkot" means "booths." The commandment to "dwell" in a sukkah can be fulfilled by simply eating all of one's meals there. However, some people learn and even sleep in the sukkah.

All About Sukkot

Sukkot, a fun Jewish festival celebrated on the fifth day after Yom Kippur, lasts for seven days. What is Sukkot?

Pilgrimage Festival

Sukkot is described in the Bible (Lev. 23:34) as the "Feast of Tabernacles." Sukkot is a pilgrimage festival; It is one of three festivals that were celebrated until 70 CE by mass pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Harvest Festival

Sukkot is also a harvest festival. It is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha'Asif, the Festival of the Ingathering (harvesting). On Sukkot, we give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Ethrog Lulav Arava Hadas - Sukkot

Commemoration of the Exodus

Thirdly, we remember the exodus from Egypt on Sukkot. The holiday commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters.

The festival of Sukkot lasts for seven days.

Holy Days

The first and last days are "holy days" like Shabbat in which work is prohibited. The first day of the holiday is called Sukkot, and the last days of Sukkot are called Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

Different Days in Israel and the Diaspora

In Israel, these "holy days" are just one day long. Thus, in Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated as one. Diaspora communities celebrate these holy days of Sukkot for two days. The extra day in the Diaspora commemorates a time when signal fires and couriers were used to tell those in the Diaspora that a festival was starting at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Chol Ha-Moed

The intermediate days of Sukkot are called Chol Ha-Moed, and work is permitted on these days. In Israel, school children are on vacation during this week. During Chol Ha-Moed Sukkot, many people take hikes around Israel and have parties in which they invite people to eat with them in their Sukkahs.