Sukkot 160 articles

On the last day of Sukkot, Hoshana Rabba, we beat a bundle of willow branches (actually one is enough) on the floor (SA OC 664:4). The source for this “beating” is...

Why is Sukkot called Zman Simchateinu, the time of our joy; what is the joy to which it refers? An insight from the Vilna Gaon.

Lessons from Parshat Haazinu including why Torah is compared to water, the source of zimun, and studying Torah, plus the uniqueness of the commandment of dwelling in the Sukkah. Torah Tidbits Audio...

In succot you should dwell for seven days... (Sefer VaYikra 23:42)

Living in the sukkah reminds us that joy doesn’t come from living in permanent dwellings, large houses. We can sit in a shack and still attain joy.

To what historical event are we referring when we call Sukkot “Z’man Simchateinu” – the time of our joy? Why is it celebrated at this time of year?

In one of the piyutim for Simchat Torah we refer to the Torah as “Zot HaTorah”. An exploration of what the phrase means based on the 2 places in the Torah where the...

We are obligated in the mitzvah of simcha on the other holidays as well. Why is simcha associated with Sukkot more than with any other holiday?

Tishrei is the month of Teshuva: Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur represent Teshuva out of fear. On Sukkot we attempt to achieve the higher form of teshuvah – teshuvah out of love.

I. Towards the end of the “cycle of the festivals”, as presented in parashat Emor, we are faced with a difficulty. The portion itself follows chronological order: First it deals with...