Sukkot

Sukkot, also called the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, is a week-long Jewish festival beginning on the 15th day of Tishrei, usually in early autumn. Celebrated in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, it combines thanksgiving for the harvest with remembrance of the Israelites' journey through the desert after the Exodus.

• Meals are eaten in a sukkah, a temporary outdoor hut
• The four species—palm, myrtle, willow, and citron—are waved in prayer
• Sukkot marks both the harvest and the Exodus from Egypt
• Hospitality and welcoming guests are central customs
• The festival lasts seven days, starting on 15 Tishrei

What it is

Sukkot is a major Jewish festival that lasts seven days, beginning on the 15th of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar. It is both a harvest celebration and a commemoration of the Israelites' years of wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt. Central to the festival is the sukkah, a temporary hut built outdoors, where families eat and sometimes sleep, recalling the fragile shelters of their ancestors. The festival is marked by gratitude for the autumn harvest and a sense of dependence on the natural world and divine protection.

Where it comes from

The origins of Sukkot are rooted in both agricultural and historical traditions. Biblically, it began as a harvest festival, the 'Festival of Ingathering,' marking the end of the agricultural year in ancient Israel. Over time, it gained deeper meaning as a commemoration of the Israelites' journey through the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, when they lived in temporary shelters. The practice of building a sukkah may reflect the huts used by farmers during harvest or by pilgrims visiting ancient sanctuaries. The festival's rituals, including the use of branches and fruit, echo older Canaanite harvest celebrations.

How it is celebrated

During Sukkot, families construct a sukkah with at least three walls and a roof made from plant material, such as palm fronds or leafy branches. Meals are eaten inside the sukkah throughout the week, and many people also sleep there if weather permits. The festival is marked by the daily waving of the 'four species': a palm branch (lulav), myrtle, willow, and a citron (etrog), which are shaken in all directions during prayers. The first day (or first two days outside Israel) is observed as a full festival with special services and festive meals, while the remaining days are semi-festive. Hospitality is a central value, with guests—both real and symbolic—welcomed into the sukkah. The seventh day, Hoshana Rabbah, features special prayers and processions.

Joining in

Visitors during Sukkot will find public sukkot in many cities, especially in Israel, where the festival is widely observed and businesses may close for the holiday. In Jerusalem and other towns, streets and balconies are dotted with decorated booths, and the sound of prayers and singing fills the air. Synagogues hold special services, and many communities welcome guests to share meals in their sukkah. Expect a lively atmosphere, with families and friends gathering outdoors, sharing traditional foods, and taking part in rituals with the four species.

In the news

• Mamdani gets mixed reactions at Sukkot in Crown HeightsABC7 Eyewitness News
• Sukkot Guide 2026: How and when to celebrate the Jewish harvest holidayUnpacked
• Army bolstering forces across all fronts ahead of week-long Sukkot holidayThe Times of Israel
• Sukkot 2026: Guide to children's activities, events, and attractions in IsraelThe Jerusalem Post
• What Is Sukkot and When Is It Celebrated?History.com
• When is Sukkot 2026? Holiday times and halachic guideYnetnews

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Sukkot, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it, and news headlines link to their publishers. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Sukkot on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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