Sephardic guide to Sukkah, Lulav, and holiday traditions.
The festival of Sukkot, often called the Feast of Tabernacles, is one of the three major pilgrimage holidays in the Jewish calendar, alongside Passover and Shavuot. Known in Hebrew as Z’man Simchateinu (the Time of Our Rejoicing), Sukkot is a vibrant, week-long celebration that commemorates the forty years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert after the Exodus, protected by Divine clouds of glory. For Sephardic communities, the holiday is marked by distinctive customs, joyous songs, unique prayers, and a deep emphasis on hospitality and beauty, celebrating both historical deliverance and the autumnal harvest.
Witness the ancient tradition of constructing the Sukkah brought to life in this concise 30-second time-lapse video. It beautifully illustrates the dedication and care involved in preparing the temporary dwelling for the week-long holiday.
The seven-day festival is rich with spiritual significance, mandatory rituals, and unique Sephardic practices. The following sections detail the core components of the holiday, from the timing and the laws of the Sukkah to the distinctive Sephardic approaches to the Four Species and the culinary traditions.
The festival’s deep spiritual themes are reflected in the structured Torah and Haftarah readings, observed throughout the seven days and Shemini Atzeret.
Sukkot begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, five days after the solemn observance of Yom Kippur. It lasts for seven days, culminating in the joyous eighth day of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. During this period, Jewish families traditionally build and dwell in a temporary outdoor structure called a Sukkah (plural, Sukkot). See our calendar.
As a major festival, Sukkot includes restrictions on labor, which vary depending on whether the day is a full holiday or a semi-holiday (Chol HaMoed). These laws ensure the community can focus entirely on rejoicing and observing the mitzvot.
The first two days of Sukkot are considered Yom Tov (holy days) and share many of the same prohibitions as Shabbat:
Forbidden Work: All forms of melachah (creative labor, such as working, driving, or commerce) are prohibited.
Permitted Activities: Unlike Shabbat, activities essential for preparing the day’s meals are permitted, such as cooking, baking, and carrying objects, provided these activities are done only with food that will be eaten on that day.
The four intermediate days are considered semi-holidays. While the main holiday observances (Sukkah and Four Species) continue, certain activities are generally permitted to prevent excessive financial loss or undue hardship:
Permitted Work: Work that cannot be postponed without significant loss is permitted.
Restricted Activities: Activities that interfere with the enjoyment of the holiday are generally prohibited. This includes laundry, taking haircuts, and writing non-essential documents.
The primary obligation remains to be joyous and to spend time in the Sukkah, fulfilling the commandment to “dwell” in the temporary booth.
The mitzvah (commandment) to dwell in the Sukkah is central to the holiday. The Sukkah serves as a fragile reminder of the temporary dwellings the Israelites lived in and, more spiritually, the temporary nature of our own lives and possessions.
Sephardic communities often take great care and pride in decorating the Sukkah, viewing its creation as an important spiritual and aesthetic endeavor.
Design and Structure: While the structural rules are the same (three walls, and a roof, or S’chach, that provides more shade than sun and allows a view of the stars), Sephardic designs frequently incorporate rich, colorful fabrics, elaborate lanterns, and fine rugs to turn the temporary dwelling into a beautiful, inviting space for guests and family.
The Ushpizin: The custom of inviting spiritual guests, known as Ushpizin (seven holy patriarchs and figures), into the Sukkah is observed by all communities. Sephardic tradition often places a strong emphasis on welcoming real guests (hakhnasat orhim) to reflect this spiritual openness.
Special Prayers: Specific prayers and recitations are said upon entering the Sukkah, including the blessing, “Blessed are You… Who has commanded us to dwell in the Sukkah.”
Another primary mitzvah of Sukkot is taking and waving the Four Species, or the Arba’a Minim. These four elements are bound together and waved in six directions: east, south, west, north, up, and down, symbolizing God’s presence everywhere.
Etrog (Citron): Represents those who have both knowledge (Torah) and good deeds. It has both a pleasant taste and a pleasant smell.
Lulav (Palm Frond): Represents those who have knowledge but lack good deeds. It has taste but no smell.
Hadas (Myrtle): Represents those who have good deeds but lack knowledge. It has smell but no taste.
Aravah (Willow): Represents those who have neither knowledge nor good deeds. It has neither taste nor smell.
By binding them together, we symbolize the unity of the Jewish people, ensuring that even those who seem to lack one quality are included and valued as part of the whole.
In many Sephardic communities, it is customary to hold the Etrog facing downward while reciting the blessing. Once the blessing is complete, the Etrog is turned right-side up and held together with the bound Lulav (palm, myrtle, and willow) for the waving ritual. This act is performed with great care and reverence, emphasizing the beauty and sanctity of the materials.
Food is a central part of any holiday, and Sukkot meals are characterized by the warmth of the autumn season and the joy of the temporary dwelling.
Stuffed Vegetables: Dishes featuring stuffed vegetables (like peppers, cabbage rolls, or zucchini) are commonly served in many Sephardic traditions, as they symbolize the bounty of the harvest and the desire for a full, prosperous year.
Honey and Sweetness: While Rosh Hashanah is the traditional time for dipping apples in honey, the theme of a sweet new year continues through Sukkot with sweet pastries and desserts.
Hospitality: The duty of providing for guests in the Sukkah is especially important. Sephardic homes are known for their generous and multi-course meals served to friends, neighbors, and strangers alike.
The festival’s deep spiritual themes are reflected in the structured Torah and Haftarah readings, observed throughout the seven days and Shemini Atzeret.
| Day of Observance | Torah Portion (Reading) | Haftarah Portion (Prophets) |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of Sukkot | Leviticus 22:26–23:44 (Instructions on the festivals, including Sukkot) | Zechariah 14:1–21 (Prophecy of the future redemption of Jerusalem) |
| Second Day of Sukkot (Outside Israel) | Leviticus 22:26–23:44 (Same as the first day) | I Kings 8:2–21 (Account of King Solomon dedicating the First Temple, which coincided with Sukkot) |
| Intermediate Days (Chol HaMoed) | Numbers 29:17–34 (Daily sacrifices) and selections from Exodus 33–34 (Moses on Mount Sinai) | Passages from Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Kings (Focusing on the rebuilding of the Temple and future redemption) |
| Sukkot Shabbat (If it falls during the week) | Exodus 33:12–34:26 (Moses's encounter with God and the renewal of the covenant) | Isaiah 66:1–24 (Prophecies of Jerusalem's restoration) |
| Shemini Atzeret | Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17 (Laws regarding tithes, festivals, and judicial matters) | I Kings 8:54–66 (Conclusion of the Temple dedication and the ensuing joy) |
Note on Variation: Please note that these readings and their corresponding calendar days are based on general tradition. Specific readings can vary slightly between the one-day observance in Israel and the two-day observance in the Diaspora (outside of Israel). For specific readings and timing in your community, it is always best to consult a local synagogue authority or your community's Rabbi.
The conclusion of the seven days of Sukkot is followed immediately by Shemini Atzeret (the Eighth Day of Assembly) and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing with the Torah). While the connection is spiritual, Shemini Atzeret is considered a separate festival.
Shemini Atzeret: The last meal is typically eaten in the Sukkah, but the blessing to “dwell in the Sukkah” is omitted. The prayer for rain (Tefillat Geshem) is recited, marking a transition from the dry summer into the rainy season, a vital prayer for the Mediterranean lands where many Sephardic traditions originated.
Simchat Torah: This day is pure revelry, celebrating the completion and immediate recommencement of the annual cycle of reading the Torah. The highlight is the Hakafot (projections) where Torah scrolls are carried around the synagogue seven times, accompanied by exuberant dancing and singing, often including unique Ladino hymns and melodies.
Sukkot, with its temporary structures and four distinct species, beautifully captures the themes of faith, unity, and reliance on the Divine. The Sephardic customs enrich this experience, transforming the Sukkah into a magnificent, welcoming, and deeply spiritual home for a week of unparalleled rejoicing.
For those who wish to delve deeper into the customs, cuisine, and history of the festival, please explore the following guides.
