Bnei Yisrael Society wishes all who remember and observe a very Happy Sukkot, Chag Sukkot Sameach! Sukkot, also known as the “Festival of Booths” or “Festival of Tabernacles” is a biblical festival The Almighty commanded Bnei Yisrael to celebrate annually from the 15th to the 22nd days of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar (Leviticus 23:33-44). The first day of the festival (15th Tishrei) is a yom tov; servile work is forbidden and B’nei Israel were commanded to have a holy convocation on the day. For seven days, all that were home-born in Yisrael were commanded to dwell in booths to commemorate the ancestors having to dwell in these temporary structures) after Yah brought them out of the Land of Egypt. B’nei Israel were also commanded to wave the “four species” (Leviticus 23:40) and bring burnt-offerings, meal offerings, and drink offerings specific to each of the seven days. Sukkot also commemorates the ingathering of the Fall fruit harvest.

The eighth day (22nd Tishrei) of Sukkot, also known as “Shemini Atzeret,” is also yom tov, servile work is forbidden. B’nei Yisrael were again commanded to have a holy convocation on the eighth day. The Torah scroll is rewound to the beginning of the Book of Genesis, where the new cycle begins again. In Israel, both Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated on the eighth day (22nd Tishrei).

This year, Sukkot begins at sundown Friday, October 2, 2020, and ends nightfall Saturday, October 10, 2020. For more information on Sukkot, please watch our video, WATCH: Mo’edim: Sukkot & Shemini Atzeret – Festival of Booths & 8th Day of Assembly – Mar 03 2020.