The seven days of Sukkot are celebrated by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the Four Kinds – a palm branch (lulav), two willows (aravot), a minimum of three myrtles (hadassim) and one citron (etrog) – and rejoicing. Sukkot is followed by Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (October 23-25).

Sukkot — when we expose ourselves to the elements in greenery-covered huts — commemorates G‑d sheltering our ancestors as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Four Kinds express our unity and our belief in G‑d’s omnipresence. Coming after the solemn High Holidays, Sukkot is a time of joy and happiness.

The first two days (or one day in Israel) are yom tov, when work is forbidden, candles are lit in the evening, and festive meals are preceded with Kiddush and contain challah dipped in honey. The remainder of the days are quasi holidays, known as chol hamoed. We dwell in the sukkah and take the Four Kinds every day (except for Shabbat, when we do not take the Four Kinds).

Sukkot & Simchat Torah Resources