Sukkot Explained
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Harvest Festival, is a significant Jewish holiday that occurs five days after Yom Kippur. It lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days in the diaspora. Sukkot commemorates the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt and celebrates the autumn harvest.
During this time, families build temporary structures called sukkahs, where they eat, socialize, and sometimes sleep. These huts symbolize the fragility of life and remind us of the divine protection provided during the wilderness years.
Lulav and Etrog
A central observance during Sukkot is the waving of the Lulav and Etrog. The Lulav consists of a palm branch, two willow branches, and three myrtle branches, bound together. The Etrog is a citron, a citrus fruit. Together, they represent the unity of the Jewish people and the bounty of the earth.
The ritual involves shaking the Lulav and Etrog in six directions–east, west, north, south, up, and down—as a way to acknowledge God’s presence everywhere. This mitzvah (commandment) is performed daily during the holiday, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest and a reminder of spiritual abundance.
Sukkot is a joyous time filled with communal gatherings, festive meals, and meaningful rituals, emphasizing themes of gratitude, unity, and divine protection.