Sukkot

The first Hanukkah, the Sukkot that wasn’t - and Bondi

As we reflect on the origin of Hanukkah, we can better understand the Jewish response to the devastating Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre of Jews by terrorists in Australia. Opinion.

Bereaved families find strength and joy at OneFamily gathering

Bereaved families of terror and war victims gather for a day of unity, healing, and joy with support from donors, volunteers, and OneFamily staff.

Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret:

No contradiction

Sukkot teaches us that just as Hashem encompassed and supernaturally protected B’nei Yisrael in the desert, the Midbar, we too must palpably sense that He surrounds us and intervenes in the world and in our lives.

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Thousands attend holiday prayers at the Western Wall

Thousands of Jews arrive at the Western Wall for festive Hoshana Rabba prayers, thanking G-d for the hostages' release. Watch.

A reason both the War and Hostage releases fall on Sukkot

As we conclude Sukkot 5786, we daven that the hostages all return safely, and we enter Shemini Atzeret hoping to reinforce and strengthen our achdut

Jewish activist with goat arrested near Temple Mount

Jewish activist arrested near gates of Jerusalem's Old City while making his way to the Temple Mount with a goat for sacrifice.

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Priestly Blessing ceremony begins at the Western Wall

Traditional mass Priestly Blessing ceremony held at Western Wall, with tens of thousands in attendance.

The highest sukkah in Israel

The military rabbi of the IDF post on the peak of Mount Hermon sends holiday greetings from the highest and northernmost sukkah in Israel.

Pollard to Arutz Sheva:

Israel should have rejected US-imposed ceasefire deal

Jonathan Pollard tells Arutz Sheva that Israel’s acceptance of an American-imposed ceasefire reflects failed leadership and warns it could bring another national disaster.

Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot:

The Hostages are coming home

Thoughts from Judaism on the peace plan.

Eretz Yisrael Yomi:

The Sukkot holiday shows Israel's singularity

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars connect the Torah readings and holidays tto Eretz Yisrael.

U. of Sydney staffer harasses Jewish students, academic on Sukkot

Staffer suspended after going on antisemitic tirade upon seeing Jewish students celebrating Sukkot on Australia University campus. Academic says there were no Israeli flags or symbols at the Sukkah.

The Holiday and Current Events:

Torah - the Voice of Hashem

The magnitude of Hashem's voice is perceived in accordance with the spiritual intensity of the respective place and situation.

Sukkat Shalom:

A Glimmer of Geulah (redemption)

Thoughts on this day, on hearing of an agreement.

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Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall

First mass Priestly Blessing ceremony begins at the Western Wall, attended by Hamas captivity survivors, families of hostages, and tens of thousands of worshipers.

'Days Of Joy, Not Mourning':

Cabinet secretary responds to criticism over memorial date

Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs clarified why the memorial service will be neither on October 7th nor Simchat Torah.

The energy of the Sukkah:

Lean In to the Divine embrace

My love will be stronger than your defiance.

IDF soldier wounded in Syria waves Four Species in hospital

Capt. (res.) Rabbi Liraz Zeira, a Chabad emissary who was severely wounded by a landmine explosion in southern Syria and lost his legs, waved the Four Species in the sukkah at Assaf Harofeh Hospital

Chag Sameach from Israel National News!

Wishing a joyous Sukkot holiday to all our readers. News coverage ends this evening, resumes Tuesday evening.

IDF on highest alert ahead of Sukkot holiday

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir raises alert level to the highest state during Sukkot, focusing on defense, operational drills, and air force readiness to ensure security during the holiday period.

Chag Sameach from Israel!

Updates Continue from North America

Sukkot about to begin in Israel. INN's North America desk will continue to update the site until Sukkot begins in New York.

Jerusalem mayor surprised by birthday cake at Sukkot market

During his visit to the Four Species market, Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion was surprised by a cake shaped like the city's emblem.

Public safety:

Hiking during Sukkot holiday? Heed to police warnings

Police warn the public who plan to be out in nature on hikes during the Sukkot holiday against approaching any remains of missiles, rockets, or downed drones.

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Succot: Completing the Days of Awe

Why does this holiday of rejoicing immediately follow the High Holidays?

Rabbi attacked outside his New Jersey home

Rabbi Avraham Wein of Bergenfield, New Jersey, was attacked outside his home, when a man stopped his car next to him, got out, and began beating him.

Sukkot:

There Is nothing as whole as a healed heart

Based on the pattern expressed earlier of connecting the ending and beginning of the Torah, we notice that the last letter of the Torah, and the first letter of the Torah, combine to form the word “Le”v”--the Hebrew word for Heart! Undoubtedly, the Torah is expressing that the foundation that circulates lifeblood to the Jewish people is the Torah, the very essence of our existence.

The silent hero of Sukkot: The aravah

The aravah receives the pinnacle of honor among the Arba’at Haminim of Sukkot. What does that signify?

Sukkot:

Happy ending

Just as Redemption preceded the world and is essential to it, so too did repentance.

Sukkot:

Check your resentments at the door

The walls define the space, the sechach fills that space with holiness and warmth. And we need to respect the walls.

Non-kosher citrons distributed to soldiers in Gaza

Soldiers in Gaza discovered that citrons distributed to them for Sukkot were damaged and unfit for use in the traditional waving of the Four Species.

Bereaved father memorializes son in Sukkah decorations

Moshe Shapira, father of Aner, who was killed in the October 7th massacre, shares his Sukkah decorations dedicated to the teachers killed since the massacre.

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More than 500 seats in the largest IDF sukkah

This year, the Military Rabbinate set up the largest sukkah in the IDF at the Shizafon Armor Corps base in the south.

Unity and love on Sukkot:

Jerusalem mayor calls to join festivities in capital

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion talks about the special atmosphere in the city during Sukkot, and his vision for a strong and united capital, 'I invite everyone to come to the mayor's Sukkah in Safra Square.'

Reflections two years later:

The Sukkah as Hashem's protection

The lessons of the last two years remind us that although our enemies in every generation devise elaborate plans to destroy us, Hashem ensures our survival.

Central Israel:

Man falls to death while dismantling sukkah

A 59-year-old man fell 5 meters while dismantling his sukkah in Givat Shmuel. He was critically wounded and later pronounced dead.

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Final day of Sukkot at the Western Wall

Thousands came to the holy site to throughout the night and for the dawn prayer service.

Choose life!

What sort of god is Allah that requires his people to kill others, to kill themselves in his name and for him, and to kill their own children?

Amid tensions:

Iran's Jewish community celebrates Sukkot

Moving footage from Tehran shows Jewish children dancing and singing in the Sukkah, celebrating Sukkot as other Jewish communities around the world do.

Lapid moved by Book of Tanya printed in Gaza

Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries bring MK Yair Lapid Four Species, Tanya, at his office.

Sukkot joy in the Beit El Yeshiva: an album

Beit El Yeshiva holds festive prayers in the yeshiva sukkah, attended by dean Rabbi Zalman Melamed and Psagot's Rabbi Shlomo Weitzen, a teacher in the yeshiva whose son fell in the war.

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'Simchat Beit Hasho'eva' celebrations at Merkaz Harav Yeshiva

Hundreds attend Simchat Beit Hasho'eva celebrations at the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Watch.

Hebron: A perfect destination for a Sukkot family trip

Hebron offers an exciting and safe experience for a family trip during the Sukkot holiday, with plenty of attractions and activities for all ages.

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Thousands attend Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall

The traditional priestly blessing ceremony is expected to draw thousands including the families of hostages held in Gaza.

Watch:

Celebratory Sukkot prayer in Jerusalem

Live: Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu leads a holiday prayer service across from the walls of Jerusalem

Chag Sukkot:

What we learn from displacement

The mitzvah of sukkah requires more than just eating meals in the sukkah; it involves moving our lives and most cherished items from home to sukkah.

The Parsha and Current Events:

This Sukkot is different from all other Sukkots

The sword of Islam is far wider than the distance between the “river and the sea”.

Tactical sukkahs

Sukkot in the IDF during wartime

THe military rabbinate believes that a soldier who receives the Four Species and a sukkah is filled with spiritual strength and fights better.

Sukkah built deep inside Arab neighborhood

Religious Zionist party youth built a sukkah for mental health patients in the Arab town of Abu Gosh.

Haftarah for 1st day of Sukkot:

Take heart!

Why did our Sages choose this Prophetic Reading as the Haftarah for first day Sukkot? Because it prophesies that all the terrorist gangs, all the nations, all the hostile armies combined are but a cipher.

Material for Sukkot from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l

Rabbi Sacks' prolific writings are timeless, and they include materials on every facet of Jewish holidays. Download the posters and see the videos as well as family oriented topics.

Extensive waiting list threatens reservist’s families

Families of fighting soldiers face last-minute cancelation for Chag support

Sukkot:

The deep well of love

We love G-d; He has a home in our hearts. At this time, it is appropriate to say that our intellectual wisdom has found a home in our emotional wisdom.

Sukkot:

Joy in the fragile shelter

On embracing discomfort and the paradox of Sukkot.

Amidst the war:

Four Species market opens in Jerusalem

The authentic and colorful market in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market continues a fifty-year tradition. Arutz Sheva visits the market and meets the buyers and sellers.

Embracing tradition:

The Significance of a Sukkah with Schach

The celebration of Sukkot in a sukkah covered with schach is rich with symbolism and meaning. It connects us to our past, reminding us of our ancestors' faith and dependence on God.

Pres. Herzog: Avoid disturbing holiday prayers

Israeli President calls on Israelis to 'allow everyone, together, to feel the joy of the holiday - without provocations.'

Hoshana - save us!

Will we be forgiven for the betrayal of our heritage which occurred but a mere week ago in this country?

Japanese religious group visits Jerusalem Rabbi's sukkah

The Makuya group, a Japanese religious movement, visited the sukkah of Rabbi Elchanan Nir in Jerusalem.

"Stay with me, just one more day"

Love always wants more.

Shin Bet to Ben-Gvir: Don't go up to Temple Mount on Sukkot

The head of the Shin Bet asked Minister of National Security not to go up to the Temple Mount during Sukkot. Ben-Gvir: Considering.