What Is A Sukkah?

Dwelling for Sukkot.

A sukkah is a temporary shelter meant to remind us of the temporary dwellings the Israelites built when they were wandering through the desert. The walls of a sukkah can be made out of almost anything, but the roof must be made out of plants that grew from the ground and are no longer attached to the ground. One must also be able to see the stars through the roof.

During the holiday of Sukkot we eat our meals in the sukkah (unless it’s raining) and spend time hanging out with family and friends in our temporary dwelling. Many families have a custom of decorating their sukkah with homemade artwork, posters, paper chains and gourds.

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In 2024, Sukkot begins at sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 16 and ends at sundown on Friday, Oct. 25.