Sukkot — The Festival of Booths
סוכות
15–21 Tishrei • One of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals
Sukkot, the Festival of Booths (or Tabernacles), is a seven-day harvest festival beginning on the 15th of Tishrei — five days after Yom Kippur. It commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.
Upcoming Sukkot
Following Year (5788): ט״ו-כ״א תשרי 5788 • October 16–22, 2027
What Is Sukkot?
Sukkot is one of the Shalosh Regalim (Three Pilgrimage Festivals), when Jews historically traveled to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It commemorates God's protection of the Israelites with Clouds of Glory during the wilderness journey, and marks the final harvest season in the Land of Israel. The Torah commands us to 'dwell in booths for seven days' (Leviticus 23:42).
When Is Sukkot?
Sukkot begins on the 15th of Tishrei and lasts for seven days. The first day is a Yom Tov. The remaining days are Chol HaMoed (intermediate days). Sukkot is immediately followed by Shemini Atzeret (22 Tishrei) and Simchat Torah (23 Tishrei in the Diaspora).
How Is Sukkot Observed?
The primary observances include: (1) Building and eating/sleeping in a sukkah; (2) Shaking the Four Species — the lulav (palm), etrog (citron), hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow) — each day except Shabbat; (3) Reciting Hallel (psalms of praise) daily; (4) The Hoshanot procession around the bimah; (5) Ushpizin — symbolically inviting seven biblical 'guests' into the sukkah each night.
Key Sukkot Traditions
Building a Sukkah
Constructing a temporary booth with at least three walls and a roof of natural s'chach
Four Species (Arba Minim)
Lulav (palm), Etrog (citron), Hadassim (myrtle), Aravot (willow) — waved in six directions
Ushpizin
Welcoming seven mystical 'guests' — one for each night — into the sukkah
Hoshanot
Circling the bimah with the lulav and etrog while reciting prayers for salvation
Simchat Beit HaShoevah
Joyous water-drawing celebrations recalling the Temple libations
Chol HaMoed Outings
Family trips and celebrations during the intermediate festival days