How is Sukkot Celebrated?

In addition to attending prayer services during the holiday, time is spent eating, drinking, playing, singing, learning and sometimes even sleeping in the Sukkah. "Ushpizin" is an Aramaic word for guests, and on Sukkot Jews invite guests into their Sukkahs. Many Jewish communities have "Sukkah Hops" where families walk from Sukkah to Sukkah, each one putting out a different treat to eat.
The word Sukkot means booths. One booth is called a Sukkah.

The Commandment

On the holiday of Sukkot, we are commanded to dwell in temporary shelters or booths, as our ancestors the Israelites did in the desert after the Exodus. The commandment to "dwell" in a sukkah can be fulfilled by simply eating all of one's meals there. However, some people learn Torah and even sleep in the sukkah.

The Sukkah

According to Jewish law, a sukkah must have at least three walls. A sukkah may be any size, so long as it is large enough for you to fulfill the commandment of dwelling in it.

The roof of the sukkah must be made of material referred to as sekhakh, which means "covering." Sekhakh must be something that grew from the ground and was cut off, such as tree branches, corn stalks, bamboo reeds, sticks, or two-by-fours. Sekhakh should be sparse and left loose enough so that the stars can be seen.

It is common practice, and great family fun, to decorate the sukkah.

Arbat HaMinim is Hebrew for The Four Species.

The Commandment

On Sukkot, Jews are commanded to use Arbat HaMinim, the four species, to "rejoice before God."

The Four Species

The four species are:

1. Etrog - citron (a citrus fruit native to Israel)
2. Lulav - palm branch
3. Hadas - myrtle branch
4. Arava - willow branch

The etrog is held separately. The three branches are bound together and referred to collectively as the lulav.

Rejoicing with the Four Species

With these four species in hand, Jews recite a blessing and wave the species in six directions (east, south, west, north, up and down) to symbolize that God is everywhere. The four species are also held during the Hallel prayer.

Each day during Sukkot, there are special processions in synagogue around the Torah. The etrog and lulav are held during these processions. These processions, called hoshanas because during the procession a prayer with the refrain hoshana (please save us) is recited, commemorate similar processions around the altar of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

Licenced by Lisa Katz