What is a Sukkah?

A Sukkah is a hut-like structure that the Jews lived in during the 40 years of travel through the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. As a temporary dwelling, the Sukkah also represents the fact that all existence is fragile, and Sukkot is a time to appreciate the shelter of our homes and our bodies.

What is Sukkot?

Sukkot is a week long Jewish holiday that is held in the autumn beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month, Tishri (Lunar Calendar). Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest as well as commemorates the sheltering of the Israelites in the wilderness.

The goal is to spend as much time as possible in the Sukkah, at the very minimum eating all meals in the sukkah—particularly the festive meals on the first two nights of the holiday, when we must eat at least an olive-sized piece of bread or mezonot (grain-based food) in the sukkah. Some people even sleep in the sukkah. You are encouraged to invite friends and family to spend time with you in the sukkah. It is considered a Mitzvah (good deed) to have guests join you in your Sukkah.

Today we are confronted with many issues and themes that Sukkot addresses such as homelessness, hunger, refugees, sustainability and even affordable housing.