Sukkot and Simchat Torah: the Basics

This article has been reprinted with permission from InterfaithFamily  

Sukkot is the third and final festival that commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt. The escape of Israel from Egypt is remembered at Passover, entering into a covenant with God at Mount Sinai is recalled at Shavuot, and sleeping in a temporary hut or booth ("sukkah" in Hebrew) while wandering in the wilderness is memorialized in the holiday of Sukkot. "Sukkot" is the plural form of sukkah.

Simchat Torah is the last of the fall holidays, arriving at the end of Sukkot. During Simchat Torah we can be filled with joy and love for God, for the Torah and for the Jewish community. The name of this holiday means "Joy of the Torah," and it marks the completion of the year long cycle of weekly Torah readings (parshiot).

This booklet will explain all the hows, whys and whats of these holidays, from symbols and ritual items through blessings and the importance of guests.

Let this booklet guide you through the the end of the last of the autumn holidays. This booklet is also great as:

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