Hebrew words for Sukkot

A list of typical terms for the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles

Shalom, dear parents,

We'd like to share with you an exciting way to introduce your children to the joyous Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot (סוכות). We've put together a colourful set of cards with 20 words related to this special holiday that are both fun and educational.

As parents, we have an important role to play in teaching our children the meaning and traditions of the Jewish holidays. Sukkot offers wonderful opportunities to do this, as it contains so many sensory and tangible elements. Our set of cards is an ideal tool for approaching this task in a playful way!

Each card introduces a different concept associated with Sukkot. From the eponymous Sukkah (סוכה) to the four species (ארבעת המינים - Arba'at Haminim) to festive concepts such as joy (שמחה - Simchah), there's plenty to discover and learn.

Take some time to explore the cards together. Explain to your children what each term means and how it relates to the holiday. Encourage them to ask questions and share their own experiences of Sukkot. This interactive approach makes learning lively and memorable.

To make it even more fun, you can develop creative games with the cards. How about "Sukkot Bingo", where children check off the words on their cards that they discover in the sukkah or during the celebrations? Or a "Sukkot Scavenger Hunt" where children have to find objects that match the words on the cards.

Through such playful activities, children not only learn Hebrew terms, but also internalise the deeper meaning and joy of Sukkot. Let's explore and celebrate this wonderful holiday together!

Sukkot in Hebrew

Sukkah (סוכה): The sukkah is the centerpiece of the festival—a temporary shelter commemorating the Israelites' journey through the desert. It is covered with natural materials and serves as a living and dining room during the festival. Staying in the sukkah is an important mitzvah (commandment) of the festival.

Ushpizin (אושפיזין): These "guests" are the symbolic visitors to the sukkah. Each night, a different ancestor—Abraham, Yitzhak, Yaakov, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David—is invited.

Hoshanot (הושענות): These are special prayers recited during Sukkot. They contain requests for salvation and blessings. On Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh day of Sukkot, these prayers are recited with particular intensity, accompanied by processions with the lulav.

Katzir (קציר): Katzir means "harvest" and refers to the agricultural aspect of Sukkot. The festival coincides with the autumn harvest and is a moment of gratitude for the land's bounty. It reminds us to be grateful for the bounty that nature provides us.

Shmini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת): This "eighth day of assembly" follows directly after the seven days of Sukkot. It is a separate holiday that marks the transition from celebration to everyday life. On this day, prayers are also offered for rain for the coming year.

Lulav (לולב): The lulav is a palm branch and one of the four types used during Sukkot. It symbolizes the human backbone and reminds us to stand tall and remain true to our principles. The lulav is waved along with the etrog, hadas, and aravah.

Hadas (הדס): The myrtle is another of the four species. With its pleasant fragrance, it symbolizes good deeds. The three leaves, growing in groups of three on the stem, remind us to do good, say good, and think good.

Aravah (ערבה): The willow completes the four species. Its simple leaves, without any particular scent, symbolize simple people. It reminds us that every person is important and has a place in the community.

Etrog (אתרוג): The etrog citrus fruit is the fourth of the four species. Its wonderful fragrance and taste symbolize people who both study the Torah and perform good deeds. The etrog is waved along with the lulav, hadas, and aravah.

Arba'at Ha'minim (ארבעת המינים): This refers to the "four species"—lulav, etrog, hadas, and aravah together. They represent different types of people and the unity of the Jewish people. Waving the four species in all directions is a central ritual on Sukkot.

Keshet (קשת): The rainbow symbolizes the Lord's promise not to destroy the earth again with a flood. When we pray for rain on Sukkot, the rainbow reminds us of this promise and the hope for a fruitful year.

Simchat Torah (שמחת תורה): The "Festival of Torah Joy" marks the end of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. It is celebrated immediately after Shemini Atzeret and features dances with the Torah scrolls. It commemorates the joy of learning and living with the Torah.

Perot (פירות): Fruits play an important role on Sukkot. They symbolize the harvest and the bounty of nature. Many people decorate their sukkah with fruit to celebrate the beauty and blessings of the harvest.

Midbar (מדבר): The desert commemorates the 40-year journey of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. The sukkah symbolizes divine protection during this time. Sukkot invites us to reflect on trust and perseverance in difficult times.

Tfilat Ha'geshem (תפילת הגשם): The "prayer for rain" is recited at the end of Sukkot. It marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel and asks for sufficient rainfall for a good harvest in the coming year. It connects us to the natural cycle and our dependence on nature.

Ecclesiastes/preacher (קהלת): The book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally read on Sukkot. Its thoughtful reflections on the meaning of life fit well with the contemplative mood of the holiday. It invites us to reflect on transience and the true values of life.

Chag Ha'katzir (חג הקציר): Another name for Sukkot, this means "Harvest Festival." It emphasizes the agricultural aspect of the holiday and reminds us to be thankful for the fruits of our labor and the bounty of nature.

S'chach (סכך): This is the roof of the sukkah, which must be made of natural, unprocessed materials such as branches or reeds. It should be dense enough to provide more shade than sun, but loose enough to allow for starlight. The shechach symbolizes the protection of the eternal in the fragility of our existence and our connection to nature.

Words about Sukkot | 20 cards

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