Sukkot, often called Z’man Simchateinu—“the season of our joy”—is one of the most vibrant and life-affirming moments in the Jewish calendar. The Torah commands us to dwell in sukkot, temporary shelters, as a reminder of our ancestors who journeyed through the wilderness after leaving Egypt: “You shall live in sukkot for seven days… so that future generations may know that I made the Israelites live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:42–43). Rabbinic tradition deepens this commandment, teaching that the sukkah is both fragile and holy, a dwelling that opens us to the presence of God and to one another beneath its leafy roof.
At Shtiebel, we embrace Sukkot as a time of celebration, connection, and community. Together we build and decorate our sukkah, gather for services on Yom Tov morning, and delight in the mitzvah of the arba minim—the four species—that we hold and wave in gratitude for the harvest and for life itself. The Shabbat of Sukkot is especially cherished as we move outdoors, sing beneath the sky, and experience the beauty of prayer surrounded by nature. It is a holiday filled with music, ritual, food, and laughter—a truly intergenerational festival that invites every member of the family to join in.
