Sukkot for Dummies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Booths

Sukkot commemorates the time when the Jews wandered in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. It also celebrates the harvest time when people built temporary structures in the fields for shelter.

Answer: Passover and Shavuot

During the Temple Period, the festivals of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot marked the three times each year when Israelites had to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to bring an offering to the Temple.

Answer: all of these

All of these things together make the Sukkah a metaphor for God being in charge of the world, and we are His creations in it.

Answer: Lulav

One of the mitzvot (commandments) performed in the Sukkah is shaking the lulav and etrog.

Answer: Palm, Willow, Myrtle

Each branch represents a different attribute that we bring into the Sukkah, based on the shape of their leaves. The term lulav is used to refer to the group of three, as well as to one of the constituents, the palm, which represents the strength of the backbone.

The myrtle (hadas) represents our eyes, and the willow (aravah) represents our mouth. The non-joined symbol, the citron (etrog) represents the heart. In order to fulfill the mitzvot (commandments) surrounding these symbols, one must have the right kavanah (intention).

It is best to enter the Sukkah with all the different parts of your body in tune like the Lulav!

Answer: Pitom (Stem)

The pitom is the small stem found on the top of the some Etrogim (citrons). If your etrog had one and it breaks off, it is no longer Kosher, and may not be used ritualistically in the Sukkah!

Answer: 15th of Tishrei

This date usually corresponds with the middle of October on the Gregorian calendar.

Answer: Seven

Additionally, the seventh day of Sukkot is special. It is called Hoshana Raba (literally: Great Supplication), and on that day one is traditionally supposed to shake the lulav and etrog while walking around the sanctuary (or home) seven times, and take five branches of willow (aravah) and, thinking of all past transgressions committed, beat the lulav against the ground until it is completely destroyed. This cathartic release officially marks the end of the period of atonement that began on the first day of the month of Elul.

Outside of Israel, members of the diaspora celebrate an additional day, with two Sabbath-like days at the start instead of one.

Answer: Spiritual guests/ ancestors

Traditionally, there are seven of these historical guests that one is supposed to welcome into the Sukkah. Although these guests are all male, many egalitarian Jewish communities have begun to add female Ushpizin. These are noted in parentheses. The Ushpizin are our three forefathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (many egalitarian communities will also include the foremothers: Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel), Jacob's beloved son: Joseph, the tag-team that led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness: Moses and Aaron (many egalitarian communities will also include their sister: Miriam) and King David. Aside from the traditional Ushpizin, it is also customary to invite family, friends, neighbors, and all kinds of guests into your Sukkah.

Answer: Time of our rejoicing

So, now that you know a little bit more about this joyous pilgrimage festival, be happy, be healthy, shake a lulav, and have a wonderful Sukkot!