Sukkot 2023

Israel vs. Diaspora: Sukkot 2023 Dates

Sukkot is observed on different days depending on where you are. In the Land of Israel, biblical festivals last one day; in the Diaspora, communities keep a second day (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), a custom dating back to calendar-confirmation times:

All times and dates elsewhere on this page follow the Diaspora schedule. Travelers should plan according to their location on the festival eve.

Halachic Framework

As a biblical festival (Yom Tov), Sukkot carries obligations similar to Shabbat, with a few permit exceptions:

• Work restrictions: Creative labor (melachah) is prohibited. Cooking and carrying for food preparation are permitted (ochel nefesh), so meals may be prepared on the festival itself.
• Prayer additions: Hallel is recited during the morning service, the Musaf sacrifice is memorialized in the Additional Prayer, and Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted into the Amidah and Grace After Meals.
• Yizkor: The memorial prayer for departed parents is recited in Diaspora communities (and in many Israeli ones) on the final day.
• Kiddush & candles: Festival candles are lit before sunset on the eve, and Kiddush is recited both nights.

Customs & Observances

• Dwelling in the sukkah for all seven days of the festival
• Taking the Four Species: lulav (palm), etrog (citron), hadas (myrtle), aravah (willow)
• Hoshana Rabbah — the final day of judgment
• Simchat Torah — completing and restarting the annual Torah reading cycle

Greetings & Blessings for Sukkot

Traditional greetings used before, during, and after Sukkot:

• Chag Sameach — "A joyous holiday"
• Moadim L'Simchah — "Times of joy" (used on Chol HaMoed)
• Chag Sukkot Sameach — "A joyous Sukkot holiday"

בעברית:

• חג שמח
• מועדים לשמחה — לימי חול המועד
• חג סוכות שמח

About Sukkot

Sukkot, the Festival of Tabernacles, begins on the 15th of Tishrei and lasts seven days. It commemorates the Israelites dwelling in booths during 40 years in the wilderness. Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah follow on the eighth day.

Also known as: Succot, Feast of Tabernacles

Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date shown and conclude at nightfall (when three medium stars are visible) on the final day. In the Diaspora, major Torah festivals are observed for two days (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), while in Israel they are observed for one day.

Candle Lighting Times for Sukkot 2023

Festival candles are lit on the evening of Thursday, September 28, 2023 before sunset. Times for six major communities:

Candle-lighting is calculated as sunset minus each community's customary offset (Jerusalem 40 minutes; most other communities 18). If a festival eve falls on a weekday, the times above are exact; use the weekly schedule links for surrounding dates.