The Feast of Tabernacles

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a joyful seven-day festival that begins on the 15th of Tishrei, following shortly after Yom Kippur. It commemorates the forty years during which the Israelites wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters, and celebrates the harvest season in Israel. Sukkot is one of the three biblically mandated festivals—Shalosh Regalim—on which Jews were historically required to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.

During Sukkot, it is customary to dwell in a sukkah, a temporary hut topped with branches and often beautifully decorated with autumnal harvest and traditional Jewish decorations. The sukkah serves both as a reminder of the fragile dwellings of the Israelites during their desert journey and a symbol of trust in God's protection and provision. Another key ritual is the waving of the lulav and etrog, a ceremonial bundle of palm, myrtle, and willow branches, along with a citron fruit, which are shaken in six directions to symbolize God’s mastery over all creation.

At Chabad Neshama Jewish Center, we celebrate Sukkot with community-building activities centered around our communal sukkah. We invite everyone to join in our festive meals held in the sukkah, participate in special prayers, and enjoy the unique mitzvah of shaking the lulav and etrog. Sukkot at our center is a time of great happiness and communal unity, as we give thanks for our blessings and enjoy the company of family and friends in the spirit of the season. Join us to experience the joy and tradition of Sukkot in a welcoming and festive atmosphere.