{"id":26378,"date":"2017-10-04T11:57:41","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T11:57:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kabbalah.info\/bb\/?page_id=26378"},"modified":"2026-03-16T02:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T02:05:13","slug":"sukkot-meaning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kabbalah.info\/bb\/sukkot-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"The Meaning of Sukkot"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|45.6875px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|22.8438px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”25px|||” custom_padding=”25px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Meaning of Sukkot<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.kabbalah.info\/bb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/etrogF.jpg” alt=”Sukkot” title_text=”Sukkot” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”24″ max_width=”620px” custom_margin=”10px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]The holiday of <\/span>Sukkot <\/span><\/i>takes place annually on Tishrei 15-21. It is a joyful time where people gather to dine, sing and enjoy being together under the <\/span>Sukkah<\/span><\/i>: a small, temporary hut outside the house. <\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”30px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

As with all the Jewish holidays, Sukkot<\/i> has deeper meaning that explains developmental processes we go through individually and as a society.<\/p>\n

What is the deeper meaning of <\/span>Sukkot<\/span><\/i>? How does it relate to each person\u2019s individual and social development?<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the inner meaning behind the <\/span>Sukkot <\/span><\/i>customs of constructing a <\/span>Sukkah <\/span><\/i>with a roof of waste, the four species of <\/span>Sukkot<\/span><\/i>, the seven days of <\/span>Sukkot<\/span><\/i>, the meaning of its final day of <\/span>Simchat Torah<\/span><\/i>, and its role in the\u00a0Tishrei holiday cycle?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.5em” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”30px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Contents<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. The Spiritual Meaning of Sukkot<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. The Meaning of Sukkot for Society<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. The Meaning of Sukkot as Part of the Tishrei Holiday Cycle<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. The Meaning of the Structure of the Sukkah<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. The Meaning of the Four Species of Sukkot<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. The Meaning of the Seven Days of Sukkot<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. The Meaning of Simchat Torah<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. The Meaning of Sukkot Customs and Concepts According to the Wisdom of Kabbalah<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Further Reading on Sukkot<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|22.8438px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.5em” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”30px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/p>\n

    The Spiritual Meaning of Sukkot<\/span><\/h1>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.5em” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”30px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    The holiday of <\/span>Sukkot<\/span><\/i> represents an essential change of values. By changing our values\u2014from individualistic and egoistic to connective and altruistic\u2014we will be able to create a safe, harmonious and happy world.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Such change requires an assessment of what\u2019s most important in life: self benefit or other people\u2019s benefit?<\/span><\/p>\n

    The holiday of <\/span>Sukkot<\/span><\/i> (the Tabernacle Feast) and the work in conjunction with it, such as the construction of the <\/span>Sukkah<\/span><\/i>, explains how we can increase the importance of the very small desire we have to benefit others, until it\u2019s greater in importance than all of our self-aimed desires. <\/span><\/p>\n

    The desire to benefit others is called \u201cwaste\u201d because we instinctively perceive caring about others as completely unnecessary. That is, our personal concerns\u2014\u201dWhat will I eat?\u201d \u201cWho will be my partner?\u201d \u201cWhat will happen to my family?\u201d \u201cHow can I make my money and living?\u201d \u201cHow can I earn other people\u2019s respect and appreciation?\u201d \u201cHow can I achieve my life\u2019s goals?\u201d \u201cHow can I meet all my needs?\u201d\u2014easily bury any thought or concern we have to benefit other people.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The construction of the <\/span>Sukkah<\/span><\/i> symbolizes raising importance of this \u201cwaste\u201d\u2014the desire to benefit others\u2014above all of our desires to personally benefit. Therefore, <\/span>Sukkot<\/span><\/i> is a holiday celebrating the overcoming of positive human connection above our egoistic, materialistic approaches to life. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Sukkot<\/span><\/i> typically has a lively and happy spirit, with people gathering, dining, singing and having a good time together under the <\/span>Sukkah<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The wisdom of Kabbalah explains that the time will come when humanity as a whole will enter one great big <\/span>Sukkah<\/span><\/i>. Obviously, it doesn\u2019t mean a physical structure. It means a major shift in society\u2019s values: love, bestowal and positive connection prevailing over selfishness, exploitation and detachment. At that time, humanity will experience harmony, happiness and perfection through its balance with nature\u2019s quality of love, bestowal and positive connection.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Back to Top \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”30px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]