Succot

Succot is often thought of as the equivalent to American Thanks Giving. Succot is often called the harvest festival. Succot occurs on the 15th day of the Tishrei or Tishri. Succot lasts for 7 days and like other Jewish festivals, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Succot occurs in Trishi, which is equivalent to September or October.

The word Succot means booths and is symbolic to the story behind its history. For 40 years, the ancient Jews would travel thorough the desert in before they gained entry to the holy land. During their travels through the desert, in order to shelter themselves from harsh desert conditions, Jews would construct sukkahs or small booths for protection. Since then, in order to remember this period, Jews re-enact this period of history by recreating sukkahs and celebrating this time with mini festivals and large gatherings for meals.

Due to the sukkah's significance, Succot is also called Chag-Ha- Asif or the Festival of Ingathering. The time between Yom Kippur and Succot is used to construct a sukkah. A sukkah is a small structure that is usually constructed of virtually any material. However, the roof is to be made of organic materials like branches, wood, or bamboo. The other sides of the sukkah can be made of anything that can withstand outdoor conditions. Once the sukkah is constructed, meals are usually consumed in the sukkah and most Jewish people regard the sukkah as their temporary home or dwelling. While it is not required that every family make a sukkah, most families make sukkahs in their backyards. In some communities, one large sukkah will be constructed with each member contributing something to the project. Contests for the best sukkah are also held among neighbors and community members. In either event, it is important to eat at least one meal in the sukkah since Succot is a celebration of the harvest.

Another important feature of Succot is the waving of the etrog and lulav. The etrog is similar to a lemon while the lulav is comprised of three myrtle twigs. Together, the etrog and lulav represents half of the Four Species. In a blessing ritual, the etrog and lulav along with hadassim and aravot are waved in 6 directions in to bless a sukkah. This routine of waving the etrog in the left hand and the lulav in the right hand in front of the sukkah is performed every morning during Succot. People are encouraged to decorate the sukkah with fruit, vegetables and ornate motif.

Durring Succot, on the first and second days of the holiday, work is not permitted. Moderate work is acceptable for the remaining days of Succot. During the times when the synagogues are not occupied with prayer, people fill the streets with songs, dancing, and laughter as Succot encompasses a period of joy and happiness.