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Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths, is a biblically commanded Jewish festival lasting seven days, with an additional day called Shemini Atzeret.
Historical Significance: Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. The holiday is also a harvest festival and is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering.
Observance and Traditions:
Building a Sukkah: Jews build a temporary hut called a sukkah, which symbolizes the transient dwellings that the Israelites lived in during their desert journey. Families spend time in their sukkah, eating meals there and some even sleeping there.
Four Species: The four species (arba minim) are taken and waved each day of the holiday. These are the etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadass (myrtle branches), and aravah (willow branches). On the second day, this ritual continues as it does throughout the festival.
Hospitality: It is traditional to invite guests into one's sukkah to share meals and celebrate together; this practice is known as ushpizin.
In Israel:
While Sukkot lasts seven days in total, only the first day is observed as a full holiday like Shabbat. In Israel, where most Jews follow Orthodox traditions even if they are secular themselves, many businesses will be closed on this day.
On Day 2, normal weekday activities resume; however, many people will still take off from work to enjoy festivities and spend time with family.
Religious services continue in synagogues with special prayers like Hallel and additional readings from the Torah pertaining to Sukkot.
Since it's no longer considered a full holiday on Day 2 within Israel (unlike outside where two days are observed due to historical reasons related to calendar uncertainties), restrictions on activities such as driving or using electronics do not apply.
During this period, public spaces in Israel are often decorated with sukkahs for communal use, and families may go on outings or engage in recreational activities while continuing to perform rituals associated with Sukkot.
