The week long Jewish festival of Sukkot follows 5 days after the Yom Kippur holiday. It is held to celebrate the gathering-in of the harvest as well as commemorating the 40 years that the children of Israel spent in the wilderness after leaving Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. Sometimes, the festival is known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths because of the Sukkah which is built as part of the celebration.
Taking place in the Fall of the year, Sukkot is a key date in the Jewish calendar and is celebrated by Jewish families all over the world.
The Key Features Of The Sukkot Holiday
The main feature of the Sukkot festival is the building of the Sukkah – a booth which is covered in foliage in which the family take their meals and sometimes sleep. This represents the temporary shelters in which the Jewish people lived while traveling through the wilderness following the exodus from Egypt. By constructing this shelter, the family are reminded to show gratitude for their own home.
Another important aspect of this festival is the Taking of the 4 Kinds. The Four Kinds represent the different personalities that make up the members of the Jewish community, and refer specifically to two willow twigs, three myrtle twigs, a palm frond and a fruit from a citrus tree. These are brought together before the festival to show the unity of the Jewish community, and are blessed on every day of the holiday, before being waved in all 6 directions as a key part of the ceremony of the occasion.
The final day of the Sukkot holiday is given the name Hoshanah Rabah. Jews go to the synagogue on this day for special prayers and the room is circled 7 times as part of the celebration. There is also dancing and singing to highlight the joyous nature of this festival.
The Special Foods Of The Sukkot Festival
The traditional food eaten during the Sukkot holiday is kreplach or stuffed dumplings. Foods which take their inspiration from fresh vegetables and fruits are also popular during this festival because of its connection to the harvest and agriculture. Each festival meal inside the Sukkah is begun with two traditional challah loaves which are first sliced and then dipped in honey before being distributed to each of the diners. Many families also choose to serve traditional delicious kosher pastries to end their holiday meals as an extra tasty treat.
For busy families today, taking the time to prepare all of the traditional foods and kosher treats to is celebrate the holiday can be time-consuming and challenging. Luckily, Kohn’s kosher Deli and bakery in St Louis is here to lighten the load. With an impressive range of foods ready to take away and a convenient delivery service anywhere within the Creve Coeur area, all your Sukkot dining needs can be provided for. It’s never been easier to prepare for the holiday!
