First Day of Sukkot in Germany

Historical Background: Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters. The festival has biblical origins and is one of the three pilgrimage festivals, along with Passover and Shavuot.

Traditions:

• Building a Sukkah: One of the key traditions is constructing a sukkah, a temporary hut with walls and a roof made of organic material. It's common for families to decorate their sukkah with various decorations such as fruits, ribbons, and artwork.
• Eating Meals in the Sukkah: Jews are encouraged to eat their meals inside the sukkah during the week-long festival. In Germany, this can be quite challenging due to the colder weather at this time of year.
• Lulav and Etrog: The waving of four species – a palm branch (lulav), myrtle twigs (hadas), willow twigs (aravah), and citron (etrog) – is performed during prayers. This ritual symbolizes unity and harvest.

What People Do:

• Attend synagogue services where special prayers like Hallel are recited.
• Invite guests to join them in meals within their sukkah as part of Ushpizin, which embodies hospitality.
• Engage in community events that may include activities for children and educational programs about the holiday's significance.

In Germany, while Sukkot is celebrated by members of the Jewish community, it generally does not have widespread public visibility or acknowledgment compared to some other countries with larger Jewish populations. Nevertheless, those observing maintain both historical practices and adapt traditions to suit their local environment.