Sukkot

Sukkot is a Jewish holiday in the month of Tishri in the fall. The holiday is closely intertwined with the commandment to live in a special hut called a “sukkah,” which is filled with many vivid traditions.

History

Sukkot is similar to Thanksgiving, as it marks the annual harvest and is a time for gratitude for good food and safe housing. Its origin lies in the biblical story of the Jews released from Egyptian captivity, who wandered through the desert and lived in temporary dwellings for many years. During the holiday, religious people build huts from improvised materials, pray in them, eat in them, and sometimes sleep in them. These huts are usually built in the yard, and extensive prayers are said to ask God for a blessing and a generous harvest.

Interesting Facts

• A sukkah over 10 meters high is considered non-kosher.
• Tourists often notice the bizarre shape of balconies in Israel; they are built on purpose so that each resident can build a sukkah without leaving the apartment.
• Even if you sleep in a sukkah, you still fulfill one of the commandments.
• One man figured out how to keep the roof of the sukkah from leaking when it rains; however, the legislators upset him, calling such a design non-kosher, as the rain should pass freely inside.
• Surprisingly, such a temporary shelter can be built even on the hump of a camel!

How to Take Part

If you are religious, observe all the traditions and conditions of Sukkot; God’s blessing depends on it. Anyone can build a sukkah, but be sure to pay attention to the rules. Read the Torah, Muffat, and Halel inside the sukkah. During the festival, house cleaning, cooking, laundry, and other essential matters are not allowed; instead, it is a time to rest.

When is Sukkot in 2024?