How many days is Sukkot?

Answered by
Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

Sukkot, the Jewish festival of booths (a harvest holiday of thanksgiving), begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei TishreiתִּשְׁרֵיSeventh month on the Hebrew calendar; Rosh HaShanah falls on the first day of this month. and lasts for seven days. The first day of Sukkot is a festival day; the second through seventh days are known as chol hamo-eidchol hamo-eidחֹל הַמּוֹעֵד"Secular part of the occasion;" during Passover and Sukkot, the intermediate days of the festival.  of Sukkot. The day after Sukkot ends is Sh’mini Atzeret (literally, the assembly of the eighth day), on which Simchat Torah (the Festival of rejoicing in the Torah) is observed. This day, too, is a festival day.

Adapted from: Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.
Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D., is the Solomon B. Freehof Professor of Jewish Law and Practice at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH. He specializes in the literature of the Talmud and Jewish law and chaired the Responsa Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1996-2017. His books include Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice (URJ Press, revised 2010) and Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century (CCAR, 2010).

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