Jewish Holidays - Sukkot/Simchat Torah Chart 2
Sukkot and Simchat Torah Primer
So you made it through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur--now what about those other autumn holidays? An overview of Sukkot and Simchat Torah: |
| THE BELIEFNET GUIDE TO THE HIGH HOLIDAYS |
| |
|
|
| When It Falls |
Sundown Sept. 26-
Sundown Oct. 3, 2007
15-21 Tishrei
|
Sundown Oct. 3-
Sundown Oct. 5, 2007
22-23 Tishrei
|
| Meaning |
Festival of Booths--commemoration of temporary huts Israelites dwelled in during 40-year desert trek
Commemoration of old harvest festival
Show of trust in God's protection
Pilgrimage festival to Jerusalem during Temple times
|
Though technically the same holiday, each day of the festival has a different name: Shemini Atzeret: Eighth Day of Assembly
--closure of the seven-day SukkotSimchat Torah: Joy of the Torah--end of the annual cycle of Torah readings |
| Essential Mitzvah |
"Dwelling" in a sukkah, a temporary hut often made with wood panels or canvas, topped with bamboo or other branches |
Re-starting the annual cycle of Torah readings by chanting the beginning of Genesis |
| Customs & Laws |
Building and decorating the sukkah
Eating in the sukkah (some people also sleep in it)
Waving and saying the blessing over the lulav (branches of willow, date palm, and myrtle) and the etrog (citron fruit)
Work is prohibited on the first two days, like on the Sabbath, and permitted on the remaining days |
Prayer for adequate rainfall
Dancing with the Torah scrolls as they are paraded around the synagogue
Chanting the final portion of the Torah, then immediately beginning Genesis
Honoring all present in synagogue with aliyot
--being called to the Torah to recite the blessing |
| Related Food |
Pomegranates
After the holiday, many people make jelly from the etrog |
None in particular |
| Biblical Source |
"In booths you should dwell seven days; every native in Israel shall dwell in booths; so that your generations will know that I caused the Children of Israel to dwell in booths when I took them from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord, your God." (Leviticus 23:42-43) |
"On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no manner of servile work." (Numbers 29:35) |
| Traditional Greeting |
Chag Sameach--Happy Holiday |
Chag Sameach--Happy Holiday |
|
|
