Sukkot is a Jewish holiday, celebrated for 7 days beginning on the 15th day of Tishrei ending on the 21st of Tishrei.
Inside Israel, the 1st day is a major holiday where work is prohibited by the Torah. Outside of Israel, work is prohibited during the first 2 days. The remaining days are called 'Chol Hamoed' (the days between the holy day(s) of Sukkot and the holy days of the next holiday that starts the day after Sukkot ends). During chol hamoed, work restrictions are far less.
Sukkot has two aspects to its celebration. One is the celebration of the ingathering of harvested grain.
The spiritual aspect celebrates the Divine protection afforded to the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The name 'Sukkah' refers to the shelter provided by the Clouds of Glory.
During Sukkot, Jews eat all their meals in outdoor arbor-canopied booths (Sukkah) as commanded in the Torah. Some also sleep in the Sukkah. During the morning prayers on these days, we take the 4 minim consisting of a Lulav (young palm branch), an Etrog (Citrus Medica; citron), three Haddassim (Myrtle branches) and two Aravot (willow branches).
the history of sukkot is that when the sons of israel were traveling in the dessert, they lived in huts that are called sukkohs. also during the harvest they had to build houses like sukkahs while they are collecting the harvest. i know this cuz i go to a Jewish day school and I'm studying this in class, well was studying this in class.
It means "huts," because we eat in special huts on the 7 days of the festival of Sukkot.
sukkot is about the gratitude to g-d for keeping us in the desert protected by the clouds of glory, our sukkot nowadays are to remind us of that protection
sukkot is the holiday of harvest.
Simchat Torah is right after Sukkot.
In 2009, Sukkot will be October 3rd to the 9th
It's called a machzor shel sukkot.
Translation: Eid al-Mathal (عيد المظال) or As-Sukkot (السوكوت)
No, there is no requirement to stay in a hotel during Sukkot. In fact, the requirement of Sukkot is that you build a temporary shelter to sleep in.
Sukkot is celebrated among Jewish families, and special prayers are added in the synagogue services.
Jews do not fast on Sukkot. In fact, fasting is prohibited since Sukkot is a joyful holiday. Although joy is an aspect in every Jewish holiday, Sukkot was specifically singled out by the Bible as a joyous holiday: Deuteronomy (16: 14-15) says, "you will be altogether joyful."
The first day. (The eighth day, which is equally important, is actually not part of Sukkot.)
The night of Hoshanah Rabbah (the evening entering into the seventh day of Sukkot).
Seven days in Israel, eight elsewhere.
Yes, the Sukkot are supposed to remind you of the huts in the desert.