Sukkot 2014: History & Basic Facts About the Jewish Holiday

If you are the type of person who loves simplicity, then you might be one of those who wish to be part of the Jewish holiday Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, a seven-day (eight in Diaspora) festival basically marked by sitting in a three-walled outdoor Sukkah (huts).

The Sukkot, which officially started Wednesday evening and ends at nightfall on Oct. 15, literally means "booth" in Hebrew and refers to temporary dwellings that the Hebrews lived in for 40 years while wandering in the desert following their exodus from Egypt.

This could be seen in Leviticus 23:42-43  which tells Jews to live in sukkot for seven days ^"so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

It is, therefore a reminder for Jews that Israelites lived in huts during the 40 years of wandering in the Sinai desert before they entered the Holy Land, and that God is their ultimate protection - just as He protected the Israelites in the desert with the Clouds of Glory (Exodus 13:21).

The sukkah is also a metaphor representing "the fact that all existence is fragile, and therefore it is a time to appreciate the shelter of our homes and our bodies."

Needless to say, the holiday is a day for Jews to express their complete trust in God, and "celebrate their confidence in having received good judgment for the coming year", as explained in Jewish website aish.com.

The whole week is marked by eating, sleeping and socializing in the Sukkah, which is normally built in backyards with branches as roof-covering, and with the "Four Species" of plants waved together each day. These plants are the etrog (fruit of the citron tree), lulav (palm frond), hadas (leaves from the myrtle tree), and aravah (leaves from the willow tree).

The four plants are formed into a bouquet, known as the "lulav" and are waved them together in six directions -- south, north, east, up, down and west. On each of the seven days of Sukkot the lulav and etrog are waved and accompanied by a blessing, as inLeviticus 23-40: "On the first day you shall take the product of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days."

Another ritual during the holiday is the Ushpizin, or the welcoming of guests to share a meal into the sukkah. This ritual is said to be spiritual one where each night the family welcomes one of the "Seven Shepherds of Israel"  -- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and David - who represent the different sefirot, or divine energies, such as love, discipline and beauty,.

 As for what to eat during the celebration, there are no traditional food required during the Sukkot, except forthe for kreplach (stuffed dumplings). Meals can include fresh fruits and vegetables, or other harvest-related ingredients.

The Sukkot is such a meaningful and joyous activity which one shouldn't forget to greet other fellows "Chag Sameach," or Hag Sameah which simply means "Happy Holiday".

Chag Sameach, everyone!