"On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Sukkot, seven days for the Lord" - Leviticus 23:34

The Season of Our Rejoicing

From one of the most solemn holidays to one of the most joyous, Sukkot begins on Tishri 15, the fifth day after Yom Kippur. So wholeheartedly joyful is Sukkot, it is referred to as Z'man Simchateinu, the Season of our Rejoicing.

The third of the Shalosh R'galim, three pilgrimage celebrations, Sukkot is important historically and agriculturally. Sukkot commemorates the 40 period when Israel wandered the desert in provisional dwellings and because of the time of year is a harvest festival.

Rituals

Sukkot translated means booths, referencing the temporary shelters we live in during the holiday which memorializes our biblical history.

Sukkot lasts seven days. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are separate holidays that follow Sukkot but because they are related are frequently thought of as part of Sukkot.

Again, we may not work on the first and second days of the holiday. These days on which work is permitted, third through seventh, are referred to as Chol Ha-Mo'ed, as are the intermediate days of Passover.

Your Sukkah

"You will dwell in booths for seven days; all natives of Israel shall dwell in booths."
- Leviticus 23:42

As did our biblical ancestors, we are commanded to dwell in temporary shelters, a sukkah, during Sukkot. Children enjoy building sukkah as they fantasize about building forts and tree houses. It also satisfies children's desires to camp out. We can fulfill the commandment to "dwell" in a sukkah by eating our meals in the sukkah. In good weather, we should spend as much time as possible dwelling in the sukkah including sleeping there.

A sukkah has at two and a half (or more) walls covered with material that will not be blown away. We learn this from looking at the word sukkah. Each letter in the word has at least two and a half sides. The sukkah walls can be tied or nailed canvas. Your sukkah must be large enough to complete the decree of dwelling (eating) in it. The sukkah's roof, sekhakh (literally, covering) is of something that was grown and cut from the ground, like branches, corn stalks, bamboo reeds or two-by-fours. Do not tie together or tie down Sekhakh; it must be loose. Place roof covering thinly enough so you can see the stars but not so sparingly that more than ten inches is open anywhere or there is more light than shade. The sekhakh is the last item to go on. You may put a tarp over the sukkah if it rains to protect the contents, but it cannot be used as a sukkah when covered; so remove the rain cover to satisfy the deed of dwelling in a sukkah.

Purchase a Sukkah online or build one using four 4x4 poles and four 2x4 boards. Walls may be made from drop cloths which are attached to the frame by D-rings and curtain hooks. This can be assembled by two people in less than two hours.

It is both common and commendable to decorate your sukkah. If readily available in your region at this time of year, hang dried squash and corn to decorate. You may also hang artwork your children create. This is a fun family project.