Sukkot or Sukkos is the Jewish harvest festival. This holiday takes place on the 15th of the month of Tishrei (sometime between late September to late October), and occurs on the full moon (the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar and many of our holidays start on the full moon).
The word sukkot literally means “booth” or “tabernacle” and the holiday is often referred to as the Feast of Tabernacles. After the exodus from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the dessert for 40 years and lived in sparse and temporary dwellings called “sukkot” –the holiday is to commemorate this period.
Sukkot is in fact a seven day holiday (eight in the diaspora). The first and second days are sabbath-like in observance (In Hebrew this type of day is referred to as yom tov , which literally means, good day). The eighth day of Sukkot is called Shemini Atzeret (the word Shemini is a derivative of the word eight in Hebrew which is sh’mona). Shemini Atzeret literally means “the Eighth [day] of Assembly.”
The holiday immediately following Sukkot in the Diaspora is Simchat Torah (or, “Joy of the Torah”). In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on Shemini Atzeret –are you following this? It’s a bit complicated, even if you are Jewish.
We eat in the sukkah (or booth) during Succot, to celebrate the harvest, and we hang all sorts of beautiful gourds and such to decorate it. We also recite blessings over the lulav and etrog.
- Bubby’s Cucumber Salad
- Cabbage Orange Salad
- Rosemary Apple Chicken
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Spinach Cake
- Acorn Squash with Cranberry Apple Stuffing
- Paleo Honey Cake
- Paleo Pumpkin Bread
What are you serving for Sukkot? What else do any of you want to share about your experiences with this amazing holiday?
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Carolyn says
Thank you for taking time to tell about Jewish history and customs. Although a Christian, I revere the Jews and their struggles even to this day. I love all the recipes, and it’s nice to see a menu of complementary dishes.
Myrite says
Hi Elana!
Love how you always feature recipes related to the Jewish holidays! It makes me want to share the holiday with everyone I know with pride!
My chavurah community in Montreal has built a sukkah with all kinds of activities taking place during the week- storytelling, music, and meals that use the end of this year’s harvest. I just looked outside and noticed a beautiful full moon shining down on me. I never knew Sukkot took place on the full moon! Chag sameach and thanks for all the amazing recipes and inspiration.
Rachel says
I am, as I’m reading this, enjoying roasted beets with balsamic glaze, kale chips and premade Trader Joe’s chicken in my family’s first ever sukkah. The Just Chicken and the iPad are probably not so much what those ancient Israelites had in mind, but the cool air after a sweltering day and a few minutes alone while my husband bathes my kid are hitting the spot. Happy Sukkot!
Tracy says
Elana,
I am always blessed by your many recipes and this 2nd evening of Sukkot we brought your gingerbread apple crisp to my in law’s sukkah for dessert as they are trying to eat gluten free. Later this week we have invited friends to our sukkah to enjoy making wreaths from the artemesia that grows wild here on our farm. Since we missed the twins birthday, we will velebrate by serving them one of your cupcakes as this family also is feeling better eating gluten free. I always say”Elana’s recipes always come out delicious and I’ve never been disappointed! Many thanks and Chag Sameach!
Michelle says
Thanks for the recipes. Sukkot is one of my favorite holidays. From the time my oldest was 2 we built a sukkah in our backyard. He is now 23! Our two daughter have enjoyed the holiday with us also, all
sleeping in the sukkah on the weekends with their dad. My youngest, 15, plans to sleep with friends in our sukkah this weekend. We continue the tradition and invite many family and friends to share in our holiday, especially those who do not have their own sukkah. I made a large pot of vegetable soup today, made organic brown rice sphaghetti with meat sauce last pm…Garden and fruit salad are a favorite, too.I strive for simple and easy during the holiday so there are less pots to drag out to the sukkah. I love the peacefulness and quiet of sitting outside at night. Hag Sameach to you Elana!
GiGi says
I am a Christian, but enjoy studying the Old Testament, especially since everything important that happened in Christianity happened on a Jewish feast day.
I think it would be useful for all of us to live simply for a week once a year to remind us of all the wonderful things the LORD has done for us.
Blessings, GiGi
Darlene says
We celebrated Yom Kippor and Sukkah in Israel, best time of my life! These Feast are NOT just for the Jews but if you read in the scriptures or Torah it is for all of the Tribes of Israel. Love this web site, she has great recipies and ideas.
Thank you for being there Elana. Blessings to you!
Erin says
We’ve just studied an overview of Jewish customs and practices in our religion class. Thank you for sharing the history and beauty of Sukkot with all of us. The recipes sound delicious. I’m craving roast chicken with rosemary (from my herb garden :)
Ann says
Amen Darlene! The feasts and holy days were given to all 12 tribes of Israel. We are celebrating Feast of Tabernacles in Trinidad at a beautiful eco friendly estate called Waterville. It’s our first Sukkot and I am loving it!
Carol says
I love your sukkah! My family built a sukkah every year; over the years, my mother analyzing what kinds of branches worked as “scratch” and what fruit wouldn’t rot as the week wore on. It was a huge family occasion and I loved it.
My husband and I do not build a sukkah but Sukkot remains my favorite holiday. Roast chicken and my mother’s homemade vegetable soup were always the winners.
Chag Sameach, Elana!
Olivia@ OmNom Love says
I’m not Jewish, I’m Lutheran so I will not be celebrating Sukkot. However, I’m very interested in Jewish holidays. It seems like you guys have so many of them lol! ;) The rosemary apple chicken and pumpkin bread sound wonderful and I will have to try them soon. Thanks for posting all the great recipes!
Erika says
I just wanted to humbly submit that Sukkot (along with all of the festivals listed in the Bible) are our heavenly Father’s festivals. They belong to Him and were given to His people – ALL 12 tribes of Israel – not just to the tribe of Judah (Jews). So, these days belong to anyone who belong to Him. What a blessing!!!
For my study on this subject, you are welcome to check out my blog: http://stewardshipdiaries.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/biblical-feast-days-for-jews-only/
Hope says
We are celebrating our first Sukkot this year, however I am just going to set up a tent as I don’t have all of the traditional items.
The kids are very excited and the teaching is what counts. Fun!
Melissa says
I love hearing about the Jewish holidays and traditions. Sounds beautiful!
AnneKD says
Me too!