(Talmud Bavli – Tractate Ta’anit).
Sukkot Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles)
Main article: Sukkot
Sukkot ( or sukkt) or Succoth is a 7-day festival, also known as the Feast of Booths, the Feast of Tabernacles, or just Tabernacles. It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals mentioned in the Bible. The word sukkot is the plural of the Hebrew word sukkah, meaning booth. Jews are commanded to “dwell” in booths during the holiday. This generally means taking meals, but some sleep in the sukkah as well. There are specific rules for constructing a sukkah. The seventh day of the holiday is called Hoshanah Rabbah.
Erev Sukkot 14 Tishrei
Sukkot ( ) 1521 Tishrei (22 outside Israel)
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Main article: Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah ( ) means “rejoicing with the Torah”. It actually refers to a special ceremony which takes place on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret. This holiday immediately follows the conclusion of the holiday of Sukkot. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is one day long and includes the celebration of Simchat Torah. Outside Israel, Shemini Atzeret is two days long and Simchat Torah is observed on the second day, which is often referred to by the name of the ceremony.
The last portion of the Torah is read, completing the annual cycle, followed by the first chapter of Genesis. Services are especially joyous, and all attendees, young and old, are involved.
Hanukkah Festival of Lights
Main article: Hanukkah
Erev Hanukkah 24 Kislev
Hanukkah () 25 Kislev 2 or 3 Tevet
The story of Hanukkah is preserved in the books of the First and Second Maccabees. These books are not part of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), they are apocryphal books instead. The miracle