The seventh (and final) feast given to Israel is called Sukkot, or the “Feast of Tabernacles.” Sukkot is observed in the fall, from the 15th to the 22nd of Tishri. During this time many Jewish families construct a sukkah, a small hastily built hut in which meals are eaten throughout the festival.
Blessings within the Sukkah On the first night of Sukkot, it is considered a mitzvah to light two candles, recite Shehecheyanu, and eat a meal inside the sukkah.
First we light the two holiday candles in the sukkah. Note that unlike Shabbat, we first say the blessing and then light the candles:
Before eating the holiday meal in the sukkah, we recite kiddush and then say the blessing over the sukkah:
We then will say the blessing over the bread and partake of our meal. Traditional foods include stuffed cabbage and kreplach containing fruit or fall harvest vegetables; dishes made with honey and pastries.
There is also a custom of inviting “imaginary guests” (ushpizin) to join us in the sukkah for our meals. On the first night we invite Abraham and for each subsequent night we invite Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and King David.
The Four Species The Four Species, or arba minim, are four types of organic products the LORD commanded to be used (in Leviticus 23:40) for the celebration of Sukkot. Traditionally these are understood to be:
Etrog (ET-rog) - A lemon-like, citrus fruit referred to as pri etz hadar [“the product of goodly trees”]
Branches of palm trees - kapot temarim
Myrtle - Haddas[“Boughs of leafy trees”]
Willows of the brook - aravot
The lulav is a bouquet made of the palm branches, myrtle and willow branches that are bound together and waved / shaken in praise to the LORD.
A young girl holds the lulav and etrog
According to the principle of hiddur mitzvah [beautifying the commandment], most Jews will seek excellent specimens for their “four species.” At any rate, the lulav and etrog should be keep in good condition throughout the festival, since they are needed everyday (except on the Shabbat that occurs during Sukkot) to perform various ceremonies.
Waving the Lulav On Sukkot, you will first bind all the branches together -- two willows on the left, one palm branch in the center, and three myrtles on the right.
Next, hold the bundle in your right hand and then lift them together with the Etrog (pointing downward) in your left hand.
Now, turn the etrog right-side up, put both hands side-by-side, and then shake the lulav three times in each direction: front, right, back, left, up and down. These six directions indicate the surrounding presence of God.
If this is the first time you do this for Sukkot, recite the Shehechyanu blessing:
