As the Jewish festival of Harvest, Sukkot could be compared to the American ‘Thanksgiving holiday. There are three Pilgim Festivals in the Jewish calendar, of which Sukkot is one, the other two being Pesack and Shavuot. At this time, pilgramage is made to the temple with offerings.
The celebrations for Sukkot actually last a total of nine days, and form one of the most important parts of the Jewish calendar.It begins on the 5th day of Yom Kippur, and marks the end of the somewhat more sombre, reflective festival earlier in the Jewish year.
To commemorate the time when the Hebrew people spent time wandering in the wilderness (as noted in Leviticus 23), a Sukka - or temporary structure/booth - is built.This often takes the shape of a temporary hut or shelter errected in back gardens.
Another tradition is to bind together six branches. This is as an observance of Leviticus 23:40 which reads:
“On the first day, you will take for yourselves a fruid of a beautiful tree, palm branches, twigs of a braided tree and brook willows.”
Usually this bundle contains palm, willow and myrtle branches.This is then waved in six directions to signify God’s presence in all corners of the world.
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