Sukkot

Sukkot History

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a significant Jewish holiday observed as a time of thanksgiving, joy, and reflection on God's protection throughout history. This week-long festival is mentioned in the Torah as a way to commemorate the Israelites' 40-year sojourn through the desert after the exodus from Egypt and their dependence on God's guidance and provision. An important aspect of Sukkot is the construction of temporary dwellings called sukkahs, where families spend time together, eat meals, and sometimes even sleep, in a symbolic connection to their ancestors.

Centuries-old traditions surrounding the observance of Sukkot in Israel are unique due to the presence of holy sites and the land’s agricultural history. Sukkot’s historical roots trace back to the harvest season when the Israelites built temporary huts or booths in their fields to protect their produce. This agricultural aspect is still embraced today, with many communities incorporating seasonal produce and decorations inside their sukkahs. Additionally, the four species, consisting of the lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), aravot (willow branches), and hadass (myrtle branches), are ritually bound together and used throughout the festival as a reminder of Israel's close connection to the land and its agricultural heritage.

In present-day Israel, Sukkot is observed with a variety of activities including communal sukkah building, outdoor gatherings, and special synagogue services. Families and friends come together to create uniquely designed sukkahs, and it is customary to visit others' sukkahs and extend hospitality to guests. The final two days of the holiday, known as Hoshana Rabbah and Simchat Torah, include unique prayers and processions in the synagogue. Sukkot is celebrated annually during the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which usually falls between late September and October, transforming the streets of Israel into a display of unity and festive spirit.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Sukkot (Start) in Israel

• The upcoming 2026 observance of Sukkot in Israel will coincide with the two-year anniversary of the October 7th events, leading many communities to balance the holiday's inherent themes of joy with solemn reflection and remembrance.
• Often referred to as 'the Season of Our Rejoicing' (Zman Simchateynu), Sukkot serves as a primary period for communal gatherings, hospitality, and public celebrations throughout Israel.
• The festival is one of the three biblically mandated pilgrimage festivals, known as the Shalosh Regalim, during which ancient Israelites traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate at the Temple.
• Central to the observance is the construction and habitation of a sukkah, a temporary booth with a roof of natural materials like branches or bamboo, designed to leave the sky visible as a reminder of divine protection and human fragility.
• Participants perform a specific ritual using the 'Four Kinds' (Arba Minim): the lulav (palm branch), hadas (myrtle), aravah (willow), and etrog (citron), which are bound together and waved to symbolize unity and God's omnipresence.
• The intermediate days of the festival, known as Chol HaMoed, are a popular time for families in Israel to travel, hike, and enjoy outdoor festivities across the country.
• A traditional practice involves welcoming Ushpizin—symbolic, honored guests from Jewish history—into the sukkah each night to reinforce the week’s emphasis on hospitality and welcoming others.
• The holiday concludes with the 'Great Supplication' known as Hoshana Raba, which immediately precedes the combined celebration of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
• In ancient times, the festival included the Simchat Beit Hashoevah (the Water-Drawing Ceremony), a ritual of profound joy described in the Mishnah as the height of celebration in Jerusalem.
• The prophetic vision found in the Book of Zechariah often features prominently in discussions regarding Sukkot, as it describes a future time when all nations will gather in Jerusalem to observe the festival.

In the News and Trending in Israel for Sukkot

Top things to do in Israel for Sukkot

• Purchase or make your own Sukkah. They are typically designed to be assembled and disassembled quickly - in less than two hours by two people.
• One can buy the four kinds (of material used to build Sukkot as per the Torah) or order them from Israel. The four kinds include palm branches, an Etrog (citron), three willow branches and two myrtle branches. The palm, myrtle and willow are bound together in a palm holder.
• During Sukkot, families take advantage of the pleasant weather and the school holidays to visit national parks, nature reserves, and historical sites around Israel.
• On the seventh day of Sukkot, many people attend special prayer services in synagogues and at the Western Wall, where they participate in the traditional ritual of beating willow branches on the ground.