What Sukkot Is
Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths or the Feast of Tabernacles, is a week-long Jewish holiday that begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, five days after Yom Kippur. It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals (shalosh regalim) of the Jewish calendar, alongside Passover and Shavuot. The fifth day of Sukkot falls within the intermediate days of the festival, known as Chol HaMoed, which are observed as partial holidays rather than full rest days.
The Meaning of the Day in Israel
In Israel, Sukkot is a national holiday, and the intermediate days carry a distinctly festive, vacation-like atmosphere. Because Israeli schools close for the entire week and many workplaces operate on reduced schedules or shut down entirely, the fifth day typically finds families and friends engaged in outings, travel, and communal gatherings. The day is not marked by a unique ritual of its own; rather, it is one of the continuous intermediate days in which the central commandments of the festival remain in force.
The overarching themes of Sukkot — gratitude for the harvest, remembrance of the Israelites' wanderings in the desert, and the fragility and impermanence of material shelter — continue to shape how the day is observed.
Origins
Sukkot is described in the Hebrew Bible as an agricultural festival tied to the ingathering of the harvest, as well as a commemoration of the booths in which the Israelites lived during their forty years of wandering after the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah commands Jews to dwell in sukkot (booths) for seven days and to take the Four Species — the etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadass (myrtle), and aravah (willow). These commandments apply throughout the festival, including the intermediate days.
In modern Israel, the holiday acquired additional civic significance after the establishment of the state, when it was embraced as a national festival celebrating the land's agricultural bounty and the ingathering of Jewish people from around the world.
Customs and Traditions
- Dwelling in the sukkah: Many Israelis eat their meals — and some sleep — in a sukkah, a temporary hut with a roof of branches or other natural material through which the stars are visible. This practice continues throughout the intermediate days.
- The Four Species: Observant Jews recite a blessing over the etrog and lulav each morning of Sukkot, including the intermediate days. The lulav and etrog are waved in six directions during the Hallel prayer.
- Hallel and Torah readings: Synagogue services on Chol HaMoed include the recitation of Hallel and special Torah readings relating to the festival's sacrifices.
- Ushpizin: A kabbalistic custom, particularly associated with the Sukkot meal, invites symbolic biblical guests — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David — into the sukkah on successive nights. Each night is associated with one of these figures.
- Hospitality: Hosting guests in the sukkah is a widespread practice, and the fifth day often sees extended family and friends visiting one another's booths.
Food and Drink
Because Sukkot is a harvest festival, meals in the sukkah tend to feature seasonal produce and hearty, festive dishes. Common foods include:
- Stuffed vegetables such as peppers, zucchini, and cabbage, reflecting the harvest theme.
- Dishes made with the Seven Species of Israel — wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.
- Honey cakes and other sweet baked goods symbolizing a sweet year.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables, often served as salads or compotes.
- Wine and grape juice, used for the Kiddush blessing recited over the festival meals.
On Chol HaMoed, many Israelis also take advantage of the vacation atmosphere to dine out, barbecue, or picnic, particularly at nature sites and national parks.
Religious and Civic Observances
Religiously, the fifth day is a continuation of Chol HaMoed: synagogues hold morning services with Hallel, and the Four Species are taken. It is not a day of full work prohibition, though traditional observance discourages ordinary labor.
Civically, Sukkot in Israel is a time of national celebration. The holiday overlaps with the school vacation period, and public institutions, many businesses, and government offices operate on reduced schedules. The Israel Defense Forces and other state bodies observe the festival in accordance with the law.
Public Festivities
Chol HaMoed Sukkot is one of the busiest travel periods in Israel. Israelis flock to national parks, nature reserves, beaches, and historic sites. Popular activities include:
- Hiking and nature walks across the country's trails.
- Visiting the Western Wall and other holy sites in Jerusalem, where special Chol HaMoed programming is often arranged.
- Attending the annual Sukkot priestly blessing (Birkat Kohanim) at the Western Wall, which draws large crowds during the intermediate days.
- Festivals, concerts, and cultural events staged in cities and towns throughout the week.
- Museums and tourist attractions offering special holiday hours and family programming.
Regional Variations
Observance and atmosphere vary across Israel:
- Jerusalem: As the spiritual center, Jerusalem sees heightened religious activity, including large gatherings at the Western Wall and numerous synagogues offering Chol HaMoed services. The city's sukkot are a distinctive sight, with booths erected on balconies, rooftops, and streets.
- Tel Aviv and the coastal plain: The emphasis tends toward secular and cultural festivities, with beach activities, outdoor concerts, and a lively restaurant and nightlife scene.
- Galilee and the north: The region's natural landscapes make it a hub for hiking, camping, and agricultural tourism during the intermediate days.
- Negev and the south: Desert hikes, kibbutz-based activities, and stargazing draw visitors seeking a quieter, nature-focused Sukkot experience.
- Religious versus secular communities: In predominantly religious neighborhoods and cities, the day is marked by synagogue attendance and strict observance of the festival's laws. In more secular areas, it is observed primarily as a national vacation and cultural festival.
Summary
The fifth day of Sukkot in Israel is one of the intermediate days of Chol HaMoed, a period that blends religious observance with a nationwide vacation atmosphere. Rooted in biblical commandments to dwell in booths and take the Four Species, the day is marked by synagogue services, meals in the sukkah, and the hospitality of ushpizin. At the same time, it is a time of public festivity, travel, and cultural events, with regional variations reflecting Israel's diverse religious and secular communities.