Sukkot

Summary. Sukkot, the 15th–21st of Tishrei, is the third of the Shalosh Regalim (pilgrimage festivals). The Torah commands the dwelling in sukkot (Vayikra 23:42–43) to commemorate the Israelites' wilderness wandering, and the taking of the four species (Vayikra 23:40). The mood is one of zeman simchateinu — "the season of our joy." Seven days in Israel; eight in the diaspora (with the eighth, Shemini Atzeret, technically a separate festival). The sukkah and the four species are treated in detail in the Going Deeper chapter.

The Four Pillars of Sukkot

Sukkah — the temporary dwelling. See the Deeper Judaica article in this Field Guide.

The four species — lulav, etrog, hadasim, aravot. See the Deeper Judaica article.

Simchah — the explicit Torah commandment to "rejoice in your festival" (Devarim 16:14). The Mishnah (Sukkah 4:9–5:4) describes the Simchat Beit HaShoeva, the water-drawing ceremony in the Beit HaMikdash, said to have been the most joyful celebration of the year.

Hoshanot — the daily processions around the bimah, with the four species, reciting hoshana petitions. On Hoshana Rabbah (the seventh day of Sukkot), there are seven circuits and an additional liturgy.

Chol HaMo'ed

The intermediate days of Sukkot (Tishrei 16–21 in Israel; 17–21 in the diaspora) are Chol HaMo'ed ("the mundane of the festival"). They are neither Yom Tov (with the prohibitions on work) nor ordinary weekdays. Work is permitted in limited circumstances (where loss would result from not working); cooking and travel are permitted (in contrast to Yom Tov). The mitzvot of sukkah and four species continue. Many Jewish schools and Israeli businesses close for the duration.

Hoshana Rabbah

The seventh day of Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah (the "great hoshana"), is treated as a quasi-judgment day, the final sealing of the verdict that began on Rosh Hashanah and was inscribed on Yom Kippur. The morning service includes seven circuits around the bimah with the four species, the recitation of seven Hoshanot, and a striking custom: at the end of the service, each person beats a bundle of five willow branches on the floor, knocking off the leaves — a symbolic shedding of remaining sins.

Ushpizin

The Aramaic for "guests." The Zohar (Emor 103b) teaches that the seven shepherds — Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon, Yosef, and David — visit the sukkah each night in turn, one as the principal guest. Contemporary practice often adds the imahot (the matriarchs and other female biblical figures): Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Devorah, Ruth (or Esther, in some traditions). The principal Ushpiz/Ushpizah is invited verbally at the start of each evening's meal in the sukkah.

Where Denominations Diverge

Universal observance. Reform congregations have substantially recovered Sukkot in recent decades (a community sukkah is common). The two-day Yom Tov of the first day (in the diaspora) is observed in Orthodox and Conservative; Reform observes one day. Hoshanot are observed in Orthodox and many Conservative congregations; many Reform congregations include shortened versions.

Sources

Torah: Vayikra 23:33–43; Devarim 16:13–15.

Mishnah and Talmud Bavli, Sukkah.

Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Sukkah; Hilchot Lulav.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 625–669.

Chol HaMoed – The Intermediate Days — Chabad.org.

11 Facts You Should Know About Chol Hamoed, the Holidays' Intermediate Days — Chabad.org.

11 Hoshanah Rabbah Facts Every Jew Should Know — Chabad.org.

Ushpizot—Don't Forget the Female Sukkah Guests! — CCAR.

Further Reading

Yitz Greenberg, The Jewish Way — Sukkot chapter.

Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, The Book of Our Heritage — Sukkot section.