Sukkot 2024 Start and End Dates: When Is the Feast of Tabernacles? Know Significance and Rituals of the Jewish Festival
The name of the festival ‘Sukkot’ means ‘booths’ or ‘huts’, and during this holiday, Jewish people build temporary shelters (called sukkahs) to remember the fragile dwellings their ancestors lived in during their 40 years in the desert.
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths, is a Jewish festival that marks the Israelites' journey through the desert after their exodus from Egypt. It is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in Judaism, alongside Passover and Shavuot. Sukkot is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. The festival begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei and falls in late September or early October. It lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days outside of Israel. Sukkot 2024 for Hebrew Year 5785 begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Scroll down to know more about Sukkot 2024 and the significance of this annual festival. Rosh Hashanah 2024 Dates: Know Significance of Yom Teruah That Marks the Start of Jewish New Year.
Sukkot 2024 Date
Sukkot for Hebrew Year 5785 begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
What Is Sukkot?
The name of the festival ‘Sukkot’ means ‘booths’ or ‘huts’, and during this holiday, Jewish people build temporary shelters (called sukkahs) to remember the fragile dwellings their ancestors lived in during their 40 years in the desert. The sukkah is traditionally made with at least three walls and a roof made from natural materials (like branches or palm fronds), allowing those inside to see the sky. October 2024 Festivals, Events and Holidays Calendar: Complete List of Important National and International Days and Dates.
Sukkot Significance and Rituals
Sukkot holds great significance as it is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which Israelites were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. The Hebrew word sukkoṯ is the plural of sukkah ('booth' or 'tabernacle') which is a walled structure covered with s'chach (plant material, such as overgrowth or palm leaves). Originally a harvest festival celebrating the autumn harvest, Sukkot’s modern celebrations include festive meals in a sukkah, a temporary wood-covered hut, celebrating the Exodus from Egypt.
During Sukkot, Jewish people perform a ritual with four types of plants: the etrog (a citrus fruit), the lulav (palm branch), hadas (myrtle branches), and aravah (willow branches). These are waved together in six directions to acknowledge God's presence everywhere. During Sukkot, prayers for rain and a good harvest hold great importance. On the seventh day of the holiday, called Hoshanah Rabbah, special prayers called "Hoshanot" are recited, and participants circle the synagogue carrying the four species.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 15, 2024 11:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).