| With the possible exception of Chanukah/Hannukah (which, depending on who you ask, may have as many as twenty spelling variations), Succos/Sukkos/Succot/Sukkot may be the holiday with the most ways in English to spell (and to misspell). But what is it? Good question! What is Succos? What is Succos? (Or, "What is Sukkot?") Throughout the month of Elul and the first ten day of Tishrei, we have undergone an intensifying period of self-reflection, repentance and atonement. It's cleansing and cathartic, but to be honest, it can be kind of emotionally draining. But five days after Yom Kippur, beginning on 15 Tishrei, it's time to celebrate! Succos is a weeklong festival that commemorates two things. First, it's a harvest festival; the Torah refers to Succos as chag ha'asif (the holiday of ingathering – see, for example, Exodus 23:16). Additionally, on Succos we recall how God caused the Jewish people to dwell in booths during their forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. (The Talmud – Succah 11b – records an opinion that, rather than simply referring to the literal booths in which the Israelites resided, it symbolizes the Clouds of Glory with which God protected our ancestors in the desert.) Sounds good! So, when is Succos? When is Succos? Biblically speaking, Succos runs from 15-21 Tishrei. This is immediately followed by Shemini Atzeres on 22 Tishrei. Outside of Israel, however, the holiday is one day longer. The second day of Shemini Atzeres (23 Tishrei) is called Simchas Torah. (In Israel, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are the same day.) The month of Tishrei corresponds with September or October in the secular calendar. The first day of Succos in Israel, and the first two days elsewhere, is yom tov, i.e., days with Sabbath-like restrictions on labor. Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are likewise yom tov. The days in between are called chol hamoed – "the secular days of the festival." On these days, there are also some restrictions on labor, but they are much more flexible than on yom tov. What do we do on Succos? Oh, em, gee, Succos has soooooo many mitzvos and customs! (Seriously, I hope I don't forget any!) In no particular order, these include: Waving the Four Species The four species Commonly referred to as the "lulav and esrog," there are actually four species (Hebrew: arba minim) taken on Succos: lulav, esrog, hadassim and aravos (respectively, a palm branch, a citron, myrtle branches and willow branches). Each day (excluding Shabbos), the four species are waved in all four directions, plus up and down. This indicates God's omnipresence and His dominion over all. Different explanations are given for the symbolism of the four species. For example, the lulav resembles a spine, the esrog a heart, the hadassim eyes, and the aravos lips – all parts that we should direct in our service of God. Another explanation notes that the lulav has a taste but no smell, the hadassim have a smell but no taste, the esrog has both, and the aravos have neither. These represent the four types of Jews, who may possess Torah knowledge, good deeds, neither or both. All four types are taken together, because if any are missing, then we're all incomplete. Dwelling in a Succah Sitting in the SuccahThroughout the holiday of Succos, meals are eaten in a succah (literally a hut or a booth, from which the holiday derives its name). The walls of a succah may be made of any material, so long as they can withstand a normal wind, while the roof is made of unfinished vegetation (called schach). A succah must have at least three walls and the schach must provide more shade than sun by day, though the stars should be visible by night. It is praiseworthy to beautifully decorate one's succah. Certain foods, like bread, cakes and wine, may only be consumed in a succah, but things like fruit and water may be eaten elsewhere. Some have the practice not to eat anything outside of a succah. Some people even sleep in their succahs. Women are certainly permitted to eat in a succah, but they are not obligated to do so. Additionally, if one is sick or if it's raining (or particularly hot, cold, etc.), one is exempted from eating in the succah. There is a custom to welcome seven historic leaders of the Jewish people – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David – to one's succah. These guests are called the ushpizin (Aramaic for "guests") and each one is the "guest of honor" on one of the nights of Succos. Hallel and Hoshanos We recite Hallel on SuccosOn Succos, the psalms of praise known as Hallel (i.e., Psalms 113-118) are recited, as they are on most holidays. Unique to Succos, however, the four species are held throughout and waved at certain points. After Hallel (in most congregations, though practices vary), the congregants, four species in hand, follow the prayer leader around the synagogue reciting Hoshanos (or Hoshanot). These special prayers for salvation get their name from the phrase hosha na – "please save" or "save now." The order of the Hoshanos varies based on the calendar.
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