Sukkah

A sukkah is a temporary outdoor shelter built for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. It commemorates the huts in which the Israelites lived during their desert sojourn after the Exodus from Egypt and is tied to agricultural harvest celebrations. The festival is observed for seven days in Israel and eight days in many communities in the diaspora, with the first and last days marked as full festivals.

A sukkah must have at least three wall sections, with a fourth side open or partially open. The roof, called schach, is made from natural materials that grew from the ground, such as branches or palm fronds, and must be loose enough to let light and, ideally, stars be visible. The schach should provide shade more than sun and must not be permanently rooted to the ground.

During Sukkot, meals are typically eaten in the sukkah, and some families also sleep there. The sukkah is often decorated with greenery, fruits, or banners. Some observances accompany the use of a sukkah with the waving of the Four Species (the lulav, etrog, hadassim, and aravot) during prayers.

Modern sukkahs vary in size and placement, ranging from temporary structures in yards to balcony installations; they are a common feature in Jewish homes and community spaces during Sukkot and serve as a focal point for hospitality and reflection on vulnerability and gratitude.