Sukkot

From 15 to 21 Tishrei (in the Hebrew calendar) is the Jewish festival of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Booths or the Festival of Tabernacles. It typically falls in September or October in the Gregorian calendar.

History of Sukkot

Sukkot has deeply rooted origins that blend agricultural gratitude with a remembrance of Israel’s desert wanderings. In the Torah, it is called “Hag ha‑Asif,” the Festival of Ingathering, at the end of the harvest season, when people bring in the produce of the fields. Over time, Jewish tradition layered in the memory of how the Israelites lived in temporary shelters in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt, reinforcing themes of faith, dependence, and humility.

By the time of the First and Second Temple periods, Sukkot had become one of the major pilgrimage festivals. When Solomon’s Temple was dedicated, the very first festival observed there was Sukkot. As the centralized worship in Jerusalem solidified, Jews from across the land would travel to participate in the holiday rituals and offerings.

Why is Sukkot important?

Sukkot carries a twofold significance that weaves together nature and spiritual memory. On one hand, it is a celebration of the harvest — a moment to give thanks for the earth’s bounty, to pause in the rhythm of daily life and appreciate sustenance. The festival reminds us that we are part of a cycle much larger than ourselves — one that depends on rain, sun, soil, and community.

On the other hand, Sukkot invites reflection on the fragility and transience of life. Dwelling in a sukkah — a temporary hut covered with plant materials — evokes the memory of the Israelites’ years in the desert, relying on divine protection when they had no permanent dwelling. It humbles us, reminding that security is often an illusion and gratitude a necessity.

Here are some ways people often feel the importance of Sukkot:

• The sukkah itself is a living metaphor: fragile, open to sky, reminding us of impermanence
• The ritual of the Four Species (lulav, etrog, myrtle, willow) symbolizes unity, diversity, and the natural world
• Inviting guests — including spiritual “guests” (ushpizin) — into the sukkah fosters openness and hospitality
• The joyous nature of the holiday, especially after the solemn High Holy Days, highlights renewal and hope
• The festival unites nature, history, ritual, and community in a rich spiritual tapestry

How to Celebrate Sukkot

Celebrating Sukkot can be both meaningful and accessible, even for people new to the tradition or observant in modest ways. The central practice is to dwell in a sukkah. That means eating meals there, spending time, decorating it, and — weather permitting — even sleeping there during the week. The sukkah should have a roof of plant material (called s’chach) that provides more shade than light but still lets in some sky.

Another core ritual is the waving (or shaking) of the Four Species: the lulav (palm branch), bound with myrtle and willow, together with the etrog (citron). On each day (except on Shabbat), one holds them and recites blessings, and in some synagogues walks in processions (called Hoshanot) around the sanctuary.

Here are simple and heartfelt ways people observe Sukkot:

• Decorate your sukkah with paper chains, fruits, lights, or foliage
• Invite friends or family to share meals in the sukkah — conversation, laughter, story
• Take a moment each day to hold and wave the Four Species, reflecting on nature and unity
• Read or tell stories relating to Exodus, desert journeys, or renewal
• If possible, sleep under the stars (in the sukkah) on a mild night to deepen the symbolic experience