1. Succot lasts seven days. (Eight in the Diaspora.) The eight day, called Shemini Atzeret , is an independent festival in its own right.
2. The command to be happy on Succot is mentioned three times:
And you shall rejoice before G-D… Leviticus 23:4 0 And you shall rejoice on your festival. Deuteronomy 16:14 And you shall just rej oice. Deuteronomy 16:15
3. The Mitzvot connected with the Festival are:
- Living in the succah (shelter);
- The arba'ah minim (four species) - the lulav or palm branch, etrog or citron, hadass or myrtle, and aravah or willow;
- The beating of the aravot (an independent ceremony with willow branches);
- Korbanot - General Festival sacrifices (two types);
- water libation;
- Simchat Beit HaShoevah celebration relating to water;
- Hallel.
4. Succot is the third festival in the order of the Sheloshah Regalim or Pilgrim Festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, Succot).
5. The Ushpizin: Abraham; Isaac; Jacob; Joseph; Moses; Aaron; David.
6. The Structure of the Festival:
Day |
DIASPORA |
ISRAEL |
1 |
First day of Chag/Yom Tov |
First day of Chag/Yom Tov |
2 |
Second day of Chag/Yom Tov |
Five days Chol Hamo'ed |
3-6 |
Four days Chol Hamo'ed |
7 |
Hoshanah Rabbah (5th day Chol Hamo'ed) |
Hoshanah Rabbah (6th day Chol Hamo'ed) |
8 |
Shemini Atzeret |
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah |
9 |
Simchat Torah |
(Not celebrated) |
7. Water libation and Simchat Bet HaSho'evah : Whoever has not seen the celebration (rejoicing) of the Bet Hashoevah has never seen rejoicing in his life! Mishnah Succah 5:1
8. The Hoshanot each day, and the celebration of Hoshanah Rabbah.
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