What the Sixth Day of Sukkot Means in Israel
Sukkot, the Festival of Booths (also called the Feast of Tabernacles), is one of the three pilgrimage festivals of the Jewish calendar, along with Passover and Shavuot. It begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei and lasts seven days in Israel, followed immediately by a separate festival, Shemini Atzeret (which in Israel is combined with Simchat Torah). The sixth day therefore falls near the very end of the Sukkot week, as the festival moves toward its climactic conclusion.
In Israel, Sukkot is observed as a full public holiday. The first day is a Yom Tov (a festival day with restrictions on work similar to the Sabbath), while the intermediate days — called Chol HaMoed — are marked by a partial holiday atmosphere. The sixth day of Sukkot falls within this Chol HaMoed period, so it is a day when ordinary work is permitted but the festival character of the week is still very much present.
Origins and Religious Significance
Sukkot commemorates the forty years during which the Israelites wandered in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, living in temporary booths or shelters. It is also an agricultural festival, celebrating the autumn harvest and the ingathering of crops. The Torah commands Jews to dwell in sukkot (booths) for seven days and to take the Four Species — the etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadassim (myrtle branches), and aravot (willow branches) — and rejoice before God.
The sixth day, as part of Chol HaMoed, carries no unique biblical commandment of its own. Its significance lies in its place within the arc of the festival: the seventh day, Hoshana Rabbah, is the culmination of the week with its own distinctive rituals, and the sixth day leads directly into it. In Israel, the sixth day is also the eve of Hoshana Rabbah, so preparations and anticipation for the final day of Sukkot are part of its character.
Customs and Traditions
- Dwelling in the sukkah: Throughout the week, including the sixth day, observant Jews eat their meals in the sukkah and, weather permitting, may sleep there. The sukkah is a temporary hut with a roof of natural material (schach) through which the stars should be visible.
- The Four Species: Each morning of Sukkot, the lulav and etrog are taken and waved in six directions during the Hallel prayer. On the sixth day, this practice continues as on the other days of Chol HaMoed.
- Hallel and Hoshanot: The full Hallel (psalms of praise) is recited each day of Sukkot. In addition, a circuit around the synagogue with the Four Species, called Hoshanot, is performed. On the sixth day, the Hoshanot procession continues, building toward the seven circuits of Hoshana Rabbah.
- Ushpizin: A mystical tradition, especially associated with Kabbalah, invites one of seven biblical figures (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David) into the sukkah each night. The sixth night corresponds to a specific figure in this sequence.
- Torah study and synagogue attendance: Chol HaMoed days include special Torah readings and additional prayers. Many people attend synagogue services on the sixth day as part of the festival routine.
Food and Drink
Food during Sukkot in Israel reflects both the festival's agricultural roots and the diversity of the country's Jewish communities. Meals are typically eaten in the sukkah, and the fare often includes seasonal autumn produce. Stuffed vegetables, soups, and casseroles are common because they are easy to prepare in advance and transport to the sukkah. The etrog is sometimes used to make jam or liqueur after the festival. In Israel, the sukkah is often decorated with fruits, paper chains, and lights, and the table inside is set for festive meals.
Because the sixth day is Chol HaMoed, many Israelis take advantage of the relaxed holiday atmosphere to eat outdoors, whether in the sukkah or at one of the many food festivals and markets that operate during the week.
Religious and Civic Observances
In Israel, Sukkot is a national holiday. The first and last days are full public holidays, while the intermediate days (Chol HaMoed) are official school holidays and many workplaces operate on a reduced schedule or close entirely. The sixth day, as Chol HaMoed, is a day when public institutions, schools, and many businesses are closed or operate on holiday hours.
Religiously, the day is marked by synagogue services that include Hallel, Hoshanot, and special Torah readings. Civically, it is a day of public leisure, with many Israelis traveling, visiting family, and participating in the many festivals and events held across the country during the week.
Public Festivities and Regional Variations
Sukkot in Israel is known for its festive public atmosphere. Throughout Chol HaMoed, including the sixth day, cities and towns hold a wide range of events: street festivals, concerts, art fairs, and children's activities. Museums and national parks often offer special programs. The week is one of the busiest travel periods of the Israeli year, with families taking trips to nature reserves, historical sites, and beaches.
Regional variations exist. In Jerusalem, the festival has a particularly intense religious character, with many synagogues, a large number of sukkot on balconies and rooftops, and crowds visiting the Western Wall. In Tel Aviv and other coastal cities, the emphasis is more on secular and cultural festivities, including beach events and nightlife. In the north, in the Galilee and Golan Heights, nature hikes and agricultural tourism are popular. In the south, in the Negev and Arava, desert tours and kibbutz-based events draw visitors. These variations reflect the broader diversity of Israeli society, but the common thread is the celebration of the festival in the sukkah and the gathering of family and community.
Looking Ahead to Hoshana Rabbah
The sixth day of Sukkot is, in effect, the eve of Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh and final day of the festival. On Hoshana Rabbah, seven circuits are made around the synagogue with the Four Species, and special prayers for salvation are recited. In Israel, Hoshana Rabbah is followed immediately by Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which are combined into a single day of celebration marked by the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and joyous dancing with the Torah scrolls. The sixth day thus serves as a bridge between the ordinary days of Chol HaMoed and the intense climax of the festival.