Study Sheet – Sukkot and Simchat Torah

1. Sukkot – Overview

Dates: 15-21 Tishrei. Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals (Shalosh Regalim) along with Passover and Shavuot.

Name: "zeman simchateinu" (the season of our joy). The Torah twice commands rejoicing during this festival (Devarim 16:14-15).

Sukkot commemorates the Israelites' wandering in the desert and dwelling in booths, under God's protection (pillars of cloud). It is also the fall harvest festival and a time of gratitude.

Two central mitzvot:

1. Dwelling in the sukkah for seven days (eating, sleeping, living — Vayikra 23:42)
2. Taking the four species (arba minim)

Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) is read on Sukkot — a reminder that material prosperity is fleeting and that only reverence for God has lasting value.

2. The Sukkah

Construction rules

• Roof: sekhakh (cut vegetation not susceptible to impurity: bamboo, branches), providing more shade than sun but allowing one to see the stars
• Walls: at least two and a half, sturdy
• Height: between 80 cm and 9.6 m
• Minimum area: 57 × 57 cm
• Temporary by nature, exempt from mezuzah
• Cannot be under a balcony / can be on a balcony if the sky is visible

Exemptions: illness, uncomfortable sukkah (rain, insects, extreme cold), necessary work. Women are exempt (time-bound positive mitzvah).

Ushpizin: a Kabbalistic custom of symbolically inviting seven celestial guests, one each day: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, David. Some communities add the seven matriarchs. An expression of hospitality and connection to the ancestors.

3. The Four Species (Arba Minim)

• 1 lulavdate palm frond
• 3 hadassimmyrtle branches
• 2 aravotwillow branches
• 1 etrogcitron

The lulav, hadassim, and aravot are bound together. Hold the bundle in the right hand and the etrog in the left. Wave in six directions (east, south, west, north, up, down), symbolizing the omnipresence of God.

4. Chol HaMoed and Liturgy

Chol HaMoed: the five intermediate days (16-20 Tishrei). Certain work is restricted (shaving, laundry, sewing, visiting the cemetery).

Full Hallel every day of Sukkot (including Chol HaMoed) — the only festival where this is the case (on Passover, Hallel is abbreviated from the intermediate days onward).

Simchat Beit HaSho'evah: the water celebration held in the Temple during Sukkot with water libations. The Talmud says: "Whoever has not seen the joy of the Simchat Beit HaSho'evah has never seen joy in their life." Commemorated today with nighttime celebrations.

5. Hoshanah Rabbah

Date: 21 Tishrei, last day of Sukkot.

Seven circuits (hakafot) around the bimah with the four species while reciting Hoshanot prayers. Then five willow branches are beaten on the ground.

Kabbalistic tradition considers this day the final sealing of the judgment from Rosh Hashanah (the "last seal"). Some stay up all night to study.

6. Shemini Atzeret

Date: 22 Tishrei. An independent festival from Sukkot:

• The four species are no longer taken
• Ashkenazim in the diaspora no longer eat in the sukkah; Sephardim eat there without a blessing
• The prayer for rain (Geshem) is recited at Musaf
• From this day on: "Mashiv haRuach uMorid haGeshem" is added to the Amidah (until Passover)

It is an "additional day" that God grants Israel to remain in His presence after Sukkot.

Yizkor is recited on Shemini Atzeret.

7. Simchat Torah

Date: 23 Tishrei (in diaspora; in Israel, combined with Shemini Atzeret on the 22nd).

The annual Torah reading is completed (final parashah: Vezot HaBerachah) and immediately restarted (opening verses of Bereshit).

Seven hakafot (circuits around the bimah with Torah scrolls), singing and dancing. The number seven recalls the seven circuits at Jericho and the seven days of Creation. It is the most joyful holiday in the calendar.

Two most prestigious aliyot:

• Chatan Torah: reads the end of Devarim
• Chatan Bereshit: reads the first verses of Bereshit

The lulav is NOT waved on Simchat Torah.

Key Takeaways – Summary