Sukkot

Sukkot 2027 begins on the evening of Friday, October 15. For seven days we dwell in the sukkah, "so that your generations will know that I made the Children of Israel dwell in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 23:43).

On the festival we take the four species, the etrog, the lulav, the hadassim and the aravot (Leviticus 23:40), and fulfill the command "and you shall rejoice in your festival" (Deuteronomy 16:14).

Sukkot begins on 15 Tishrei, five days after Yom Kippur. Its seventh day is Hoshana Rabbah, and it is followed directly by Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. We leave our homes for the sukkah to remember the clouds of glory that surrounded the Jewish people in the desert, and to remember that real security comes from Hashem, not from walls.

The central mitzvah of the sukkah is eating our meals in it. The four species are taken each day of the festival except Shabbat. In the synagogue Hallel and Hoshanot are said, and on Hoshana Rabbah the aravot are beaten. The middle days, Chol HaMoed, are semi-festive, with their own laws about work.

Below you will find guides to the sukkah, the four species and the days of the holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Sukkot 2027?

Sukkot 2027 (15 Tishrei 5788) begins on the evening of Friday, October 15 and lasts seven days, through Hoshana Rabbah on 21 Tishrei. Shemini Atzeret begins at the close of the seventh day. When the first day falls on Shabbat, the four species are first taken on Sunday. The dates for the next three years, with the Hebrew dates, are in the table on this page.

What makes a sukkah kosher?

A sukkah needs at least three walls and must be at least 10 handbreadths (about 80 cm, 32 inches) tall. The roof covering, the schach, must come from something that grew from the ground and was cut off, such as branches, bamboo or mats made for schach, and it must give more shade than sun. The sukkah must stand under the open sky, not under a tree or a balcony.

What are the four species?

An etrog (citron), a lulav (palm branch), three hadassim (myrtle branches) and two aravot (willow branches). They are held together and waved in all directions after the blessing "al netilat lulav". On the first day Shehecheyanu is added.

What if it rains on Sukkot?

When rain is heavy enough to spoil the food, you may eat in the house. The first night is different, because eating in the sukkah then is an obligation; if it rains on the first night, ask your rabbi how to proceed.