Sukkot is a week-long Jewish festival beginning on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Sukkot starts on the fifth day after Yom Kippur. It commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert after the Exodus from Egypt and the construction of the Holy Tabernacle (Mishkan).
In Israel the first day of Sukkot is observed as a Yom Tov (יום טוב) — a sacred day with restrictions similar to Shabbat. In the Diaspora the first two days are observed as Yom Tov. Days 2-6 of Sukkot are called Chol HaMoed (חול המועד), during which certain forms of work and travel are permitted. Day 7 of Sukkot is called Hoshana Raba (see below).
Sukkot is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Shalosh Regalim — שלוש רגלים), during which the Israelites were commanded to make pilgrimage to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Torah mentions these festivals explicitly, for example in Leviticus 23:39:
“But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the festival of the Lord for a seven-day period; the first day shall be a rest day, and the eighth day shall be a rest day.”
אַךְ בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי, בְּאָסְפְּכֶם אֶת-תְּבוּאַת הָאָרֶץ, תָּחֹגּוּ אֶת-חַג-יְהוָה, שִׁבְעַת יָמִים; בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן שַׁבָּתוֹן, וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי שַׁבָּתוֹן.
The word Sukkot (סוכות) is the plural of sukkah (סוכה), meaning booth or tabernacle. The sukkah symbolizes the temporary shelters in which the Israelites lived during their forty years of wandering in the desert.
Commandments and Traditions
- Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In ancient times worshippers traveled to the Temple to celebrate and offer sacrifices.
- Building and dwelling in the sukkah. Families construct a sukkah and spend time there for meals and often for sleep.
- The Four Species (Arba’at HaMinim - ארבעת המינים). The etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadas (myrtle), and aravah (willow) are taken and waved together in joyful ritual.
The Torah commands: “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of the hadar tree, date palm fronds, a branch of a braided tree, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for a seven-day period.” (Leviticus 23:40)
Sukkot is also a time for family gatherings, hospitality, and joy. Guests (the tradition of ushpizin) are welcomed into the sukkah as a sign of kindness and communal unity.
Hoshana Raba — The Great Supplication
The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Raba (הושענא רבה), literally “the Great Hoshana” or “Great Supplication.” It serves as the festival’s spiritual culmination. On this day special prayers and processions (hoshanot) are performed: worshippers circle the Torah scrolls seven times while reciting supplications for blessing, life, and abundant sustenance.
In Jewish tradition the divine verdict for the year is written on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur, but the final delivery is associated with Hoshana Raba. For this reason it is regarded as a last opportunity for reflection, repentance, and plea for mercy. Hoshana Raba thus unites the themes of judgment, compassion, and joy and stands as the fitting spiritual finale to the High Holy Days and the Sukkot festival.
The four species
For the blessing for the four species, three plant branches and a citron are bundled in the following combination:
- One palm branch (Lulav - לולב)
- Two branches of willow (Arava - ערבה)
- Three branches of myrtle (Hadas - הדס)
- A citron (Etrog - אתרוג)
Thus, altogether 7 items are bundled as shown on the left. For the blessing, the etrog is held on the left hand and the branches on the right hand.
The blessing:
"ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם אשר קידשנו במצוותיו וציוונו על נטילת לולב"
Mention of pilgrimage holidays in the Torah
"Celebrate three pilgrimage festivals to Me each year.
Keep the Festival of Matzahs. Eat matzahs for seven days, as I commanded you, during the prescribed time in the month of standing grain, since this is when you left Egypt.
Do not appear before Me empty-handed.
Also keep] the Reaping Festival, through the first fruits of your produce that you planted in the field. [There is also] the Harvest Festival [right after] the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field." (Exodus 23:14-16)
Three times each year, every male among you must appear before God, Master [of the Universe]. (Exodus 23:17, 34:23)
Three times each year, all your males shall thus be seen in the presence of God your Lord in the place that He will choose: on the festival of Matzahs, on the festival of Shavuoth, and on the festival of Sukkoth. [In those times] you shall not appear before God empty-handed.
Each person shall bring his hand-delivered gift, depending on the blessing that God your Lord grants you. (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)