Hey there! Sukkot 2024, the Jewish harvest festival, is just around the corner in 2024. This ancient holiday is one of the most joyous times on the Jewish calendar, so you’ll want to make the most of it. For those new to Sukkot, it can seem a little daunting trying to get everything ready. Not to worry – we’ve got your back. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to have an amazing Sukkot 2024. From building your sukkah to the four species to the best holiday recipes, we’ve got all the basics covered. With a little preparation, you’ll be ready to celebrate this seven-day festival in style. Stick with us and we’ll make sure this is your best Sukkot yet!
When Is Sukkot in 2024?
Sukkot 2024 begins at sunset on October 16, 2024 and ends at nightfall on October 23, 2024. The first two days of Sukkot are full-fledged, no-work-allowed holiday days, known as Chol Hamoed.
During Chol Hamoed, Jews are permitted to work, but many businesses and schools remain closed so families have time to build their sukkahs, pick out a lulav and etrog, and celebrate together. The intermediate days are followed by two final full holiday days, known as Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
Building a Sukkah
A sukkah is a temporary shelter with at least two and a half walls and natural greenery for a roof that Jews eat and sometimes sleep in during Sukkot. Building a sukkah is a fun, family-friendly mitzvah. Kids can help hammer the boards together, weave branches through the walls and decorate the sukkah to make it cozy. Many Jews buy pre-made sukkah kits, but for an authentic experience, build your own from scratch.
Choosing a Lulav and Etrog
A lulav is a bundle of branches from palm, myrtle and willow trees. Jews wave the lulav during Sukkot while reciting special blessings. An etrog is a citrus fruit resembling a bumpy lemon. Buy a lulav and etrog set at a local Judaica store and have the rabbi inspect them to ensure they meet the strict requirements for the mitzvah.
With preparation and the guidance, you’ll have an inspiring Sukkot 2024 full of meaningful moments with loved ones. Celebrate this harvest festival by giving thanks for life’s simple blessings.
Building a Sukkah for Sukkot 2024
To celebrate Sukkot properly, you’ll need to build a sukkah, a temporary shelter. The mitzvah (commandment) is to dwell in the sukkah for the duration of the festival, so make it comfortable!
Start with the walls. You’ll want at least three walls, though four is traditional. The walls can be made of anything, as long as they’re sturdy. Wood, canvas, and metal poles with fabric or netting are all popular options. Just make sure there are more open spaces than walls.
Choosing a Covering
For the roof, use unprocessed natural materials like bamboo, pine, willow, or palm fronds. This is called sechach and should provide shade while still allowing you to see the sky. Thicker sechach, like bamboo, provides more shade but must be spaced to allow rain through. Thinner sechach, like palm fronds, may require waterproofing. Test different materials to get the right amount of shade for your climate.
Furnishings
Add furnishings like a table, chairs, decorations, lanterns or string lights. A rug or flooring can make the space cozier. You’ll want to be comfortable sitting, sleeping, eating and entertaining in your sukkah!
With sturdy walls, natural sechach, and comfortable furnishings, your sukkah will be a welcoming space to celebrate Sukkot. Building the sukkah is half the fun, so get friends and family to help. Sitting in the finished sukkah, looking up at the stars through the sechach, you’ll feel close to G-d and community. Chag sameach – have a joyous festival!
The Four Species for Sukkot 2024
To celebrate Sukkot, you’ll need to gather the four species, which symbolize unity and diversity within the Jewish community.
The Lulav
The lulav is a palm branch, and represents the spine. Holding the lulav straight up channels divine energy into the world. The lulav should be at least 3 feet tall, fresh, and not dried out. Look for lulavim at your local Judaica store in the weeks before Sukkot.
The Etrog
The etrog is a citrus fruit, similar to a lemon, and represents the heart. A beautiful, unblemished etrog is a prized possession and can be expensive. Buy an etrog with a intact stem and that is yellow, not green. The etrog is held together with the lulav.
Myrtle Branches
Myrtle branches, or hadassim, represent eyes. You’ll need three myrtle branches for your lulav. Look for branches that are at least 15 inches long, with leaves, and show no signs of wilting. The hadassim are bundled together with the lulav and etrog.
Willow Branches
The two willow branches, or aravot, represent lips. The willow branches should be at least 15 inches long, flexible, and have long, narrow leaves. The willow branches are also bundled with the lulav, etrog, and myrtle.
When the four species are bundled together, they represent a complete person, unified with the community. During Sukkot, take the time to meditate on unity, diversity, and your connection to the Jewish people while holding the lulav and etrog. Shake the lulav in all directions to spread divine energy throughout the world. The four species are a powerful symbol of harvest, community, and faith.
Sukkot Rituals and Traditions
Building a Sukkah
The most important mitzvah of Sukkot is building a sukkah, a temporary hut. According to tradition, the sukkah represents the huts the Israelites lived in during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after the exodus from Egypt. To be kosher for the festival, a sukkah must have at least two and a half walls covered with branches and its roof must be made of natural materials that provide more shade than sun. Many Jews decorate their sukkahs with hanging fruits and vegetables, artwork, and string lights to make it a welcoming space.
Shaking the Lulav and Etrog
Each day of Sukkot, Jews perform the mitzvah of shaking the four species – the lulav (palm branch), hadass (myrtle), aravah (willow), and etrog (citron). The lulav, hadass, and aravah are bound together, while the etrog is held separately. As you shake the four species in all directions, recite a blessing expressing thanks for the harvest. The four species represent both nature’s beauty and agricultural bounty.
Hoshanah Rabbah
On the seventh day of Sukkot, Jews celebrate Hoshanah Rabbah, the great salvation. People circle the bimah, the platform where the Torah is read, seven times while holding the four species and special hoshanot bundles of willow branches. After circling the bimah, the willow branches are beaten against the ground until most of the leaves have fallen off, symbolizing the casting away of sins. Hoshanah Rabbah marks the end of the High Holidays season of repentance.
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, meaning “rejoicing in the Torah,” celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. Jews sing, dance, and march around the synagogue with Torah scrolls in a joyful celebration of their love of Torah. After the seven days of Sukkot have ended, Simchat Torah provides one more opportunity to rejoice before returning to everyday life.
Sukkot 2024 FAQs: Common Questions About the Festival
What is Sukkot?
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is an important Jewish harvest festival. It commemorates the temporary shelters the Israelites lived in after escaping from Egypt. During Sukkot, Jews build temporary huts called sukkahs and many Jews eat, sleep, and pray in them. Sukkot is a weeklong holiday that reaffirms Jewish faith in God.
When is Sukkot in 2024?
Sukkot 2024 begins at sunset on October 16 and ends at nightfall on October 23. The days in between are filled with celebrations, rituals, and traditions to observe the harvest and honor Jewish history.
What is Hoshana Rabbah?
Hoshana Rabbah marks the seventh day of Sukkot and the completion of the festival. It is a special day of prayers, rituals, and customs, like circling the bimah seven times while holding the lulav and etrog. According to Jewish tradition, a final judgment is sealed on Hoshana Rabbah regarding how much rain will fall during the year. Special prayers for rain and a good harvest are recited.
What do you do during Sukkot?
Some of the most popular Sukkot traditions include:
- Building a sukkah: A temporary hut with a roof made of branches that allows you to see the sky. Many Jews eat and sleep in the sukkah during the festival.
- Shaking the lulav: A bouquet made of palm, myrtle, and willow branches along with an etrog (citron). It is shaken during prayers and rituals.
- Enjoying festive meals: Feasting and inviting friends and family over to share holiday meals in the sukkah.
- Attending synagogue: Additional prayers and scripture readings are part of the Sukkot observance.
- Participating in rituals: Like the water drawing ceremony and circling the bimah with the lulav and etrog.
- Celebrating with the community: Many towns and cities have events, parades, and parties to bring people together for Sukkot.
Conclusion
So there you have it – everything you need to know for Sukkot 2024. With the dates, meaning, rituals, and decor ideas covered in this guide, you’re all set to celebrate the Jewish harvest festival next year. Whether you build your own sukkah, attend synagogue services, enjoy festive meals, and shake the lulav and etrog, make the holiday your own. Sukkot brings the community together to give thanks and reflect on life’s blessings. May the upcoming festival season bring you joy, inspiration and connection. This ancient biblical holiday has so much wisdom to offer the modern world. Keep its spirit of gratitude and simplicity with you all year round.