The Feast of Tabernacles - Sukkot
BEGINS: SUNDOWN TUES 7TH OCT 2025
ENDS: SUNDOWN WED 15TH OCT 2025 (EIGHTH DAY OF ASSEMBLY)
High Shabbat (no work) listed below
Sundown on 7th Oct to sundown 8th Oct
& Sundown 14th Oct to sundown 15th Oct
Sukkot (𐤎𐤒𐤅𐤕), also called the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, is a qodesh moed (holy appointed time) commanded by Yahuah in the Turah (Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:33–43). It begins on the 15th day of the 7th month and lasts seven days, followed by Shemini Atzeret (“Eighth Day of Assembly”). Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information on the Eighth Day of Assembly.
Sukkot is a joyful festival that celebrates Yahuah’s provision and protection, remembering how the children of Yashar’al dwelt in temporary shelters during their wilderness journey after leaving Mitsrayim (Egypt). It is both historical and prophetic, pointing to Yahusha and the ultimate dwelling of Aluhym with His people.
Biblical Significance
Dwelling in Sukkot: Yashar’al is commanded to live in temporary booths or sukkot for seven days as a reminder of Yahuah’s care and presence.
Wayyiqra 23:42–43: “You shall dwell in booths for seven days… so your generations may know that I made the children of Yashar’al dwell in booths when I brought them out of Mitsrayim.”
Celebration of the harvest: Sukkot is also a harvest festival, giving thanks for the fruit of the land. It’s a time of rejoicing in abundance and trusting in Yahuah’s provision.
Joyful worship: Every day, the people were commanded to be full of simchah (joy), reflecting gratitude, humility, and trust in Aluhym.
How We Honour Sukkot
Building a Sukkah:
A temporary shelter symbolises our reliance on Yahuah, just as the wilderness booths reminded Yashar’al of His protection.
Families gather in the sukkah to eat, palal (pray), and sometimes sleep, emphasising simplicity and dependence on the Father.
The Four Species (Arba Minim):
The lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow) are waved in all directions.
This symbolises rejoicing before Yahuah and acknowledging His dominion over all creation.
Wayyiqra 23:40: “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahuah your Aluhym seven days.”
Joyful Worship and Prayer:
Sukkot is called “the season of our rejoicing” (Zemanim shel Simchah).
Families read Tehillim, sing songs, and offer palal of thanks for provision, protection, and mercy.
Remembering Yahusha:
For Natsarim, Sukkot is prophetic. Yahusha said, “I am the living water; whoever believes in Me shall never thirst” (Yochanan 7:37–39).
The sukkah foreshadows the eternal dwelling of Aluhym with His people, where Yahusha tabernacles among us (Revelation 21:3).
Palal for Sukkot
Yahuah, our Provider and Protector, we thank You for Your goodness. As we dwell in temporary booths, remind us to trust fully in You, rejoice in Your provision, and seek Your presence. Barak our family with Your shalum, and teach us to live with joy, humility, and faith, remembering that Yahusha dwells among us now and forever. Aman.
Sukkot is a time of joy, remembrance, and trust. It calls us to leave the comforts of the world, dwell simply, and rely fully on Yahuah. Through Sukkot, we celebrate not only His past faithfulness to Yashar’al but also His ongoing presence with His people in Yahusha.
The Eighth Day of Assembly is called Shemini Atzeret (𐤔𐤌𐤍𐤉 𐤏𐤑𐤓𐤕) in Hebrew. It is a qodesh moed (holy appointed time) that comes immediately after the seven days of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles).
Here’s what it means and why it’s important:
Meaning of Shemini Atzeret
Shemini (𐤔𐤌𐤍𐤉) = “Eighth”
Atzeret (𐤏𐤑𐤓𐤕) = “Assembly” or “solemn gathering”
Together: “Eighth Day of Assembly”.
It is a separate, solemn day for gathering before Yahuah in worship, even though it is linked to Sukkot. The word atzeret implies a special closing assembly, a day to reflect, rejoice, and dedicate the conclusion of the festival to Yahuah.
Scriptural Basis
Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:36:
“On the eighth day you shall have a qodesh assembly; you shall not do any work. It is a solemn gathering, and you shall bring an offering by fire to Yahuah. It is a commanded statute forever throughout your generations.”
Unlike the seven days of Sukkot, which focus on dwelling in booths and rejoicing in the harvest, Shemini Atzeret is more about coming close to Yahuah Himself.
How We Honour Shemini Atzeret
Cease from Work: Like Shabbat, it is a day of rest.
Special Offerings: In the Temple times, additional offerings were brought to Yahuah.
Joyful Worship: The focus is on praising Yahuah for His goodness and faithfulness.
Completion and Dedication: It marks the end of the Sukkot festival and invites us to dedicate ourselves fully to Yahuah’s service.
✨ In Natsarim understanding, Shemini Atzeret also points to Yahusha, who is the ultimate fulfilment of dwelling with The Father. Just as the booths reminded Yashar’al of His presence, Shemini Atzeret reminds us that our final dwelling is with Yahuah through Yahusha.
