Did you know there are two Sukkots!

I know, who cares? I do. I love this time of year. I enjoy all the gatherings and celebrations. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are great and I enjoy the festivities. But I also enjoy the fall celebrations of Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles. So having two Sukkots is right up my alley.

That’s right. There are two Sukkot observances every year on the Hebrew calendar. While the second observance is not called Sukkot, its first observance was definitely a Sukkot celebration. We’ll get to that in a minute.

But First -What is Sukkot?

This year Sukkot lasted from October 6th through the 15th, including the add on days. So why talk about Sukkot in December? Because the second celebration is coming up soon. You might know it by another name, Hanukkah. That’s right, Hanukkah is actually a Sukkot celebration.

Sukkot refers to the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths which is celebrated each year in the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar — Tishri. It’s a seven day festival, beginning on the 15th. The seven day celebration is followed by Shemini Atzeret, which means “Eighth Day of Assembly,” and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Torah)

Sukkot originated during the time of Moses. Yet they had to wait until after they went into the promised land to observe it. That’s because the celebration was to commemorate their time in the wilderness, when they lived in temporary dwellings like tents. Sukkot is the plural of sukkah, which means tent, hut, booth or tabernacle). The Hebrew word sukkah is used in Amos 9.

“When that day comes, I will raise up the fallen sukkah of David. I will close up its gaps, raise up its ruins and rebuild it as it used to be, ~ Amos 9:11 (CJB)

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, which is the Hebrew word for “dedication,” is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is celebrated by Jews and many Christians as well. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

What we know as Hanukkah is the celebration of Sukkot recounted in the Book of Maccabees. This is of paramount importance. It not only celebrates victory over the mighty Syrian Greek empire, but specifically the reinstatement of Temple worship as established by God through Moses after Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the Temple.

Here’s a bit of background

Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem by erecting a statue of the Greek god Zeus on the altar, sacrificed a pig on it, and stole the temple’s treasures. He also prohibited Jewish religious practices, outlawed circumcision and Sabbath observance, and burned Torah scrolls. The action is remembered as the “Abomination of Desolation”.

It was three years between Antiochus Epiphanes’ desecration of the temple and its rededication. After Antiochus defiled the temple in 168 or 167 BC, Judas Maccabee and his followers recaptured Jerusalem and cleansed the temple, which was then rededicated on 25 Kislev, 3598, on the Hebrew calendar.

Sukkot is all about Joy and Gladness

• …and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. ~ Lev. 23:40.
• “You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths for seven days when you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; and you shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son and your daughter, and your male and female slaves, and the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow who are in your towns. Deut. 16:13–14 (NASB 2020)

Returning from Babylon, which was a time of great rejoicing, Nehemiah recorded that Sukkot was observed.

The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths. Indeed, the sons of Israel had not done so since the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was very great rejoicing. He read from the Book of the Law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a festive assembly in accordance with the ordinance.
~ Nehemiah 8:17-18 (NASB)

This was not a time to be somber and silent. No! This was a time of great rejoicing!

According to the Temple Institute, the celebration of Sukkot during the era of the Second Temple was a breathtaking festival that radiated joy and vibrancy, centered around the majestic Temple. Key practices included daily processions with the Four Species—lulav, myrtle, willow, and etrog—while the captivating water libation ceremony symbolized abundance and life. Each day of this magnificent festival was filled with exhilarating animal sacrifices that resonated with fervor.

The atmosphere buzzed with exultation as jubilant singing and soul-stirring music from the Levites filled the air. In a spectacular display of celebration men would join in the revelry with dancing and juggling fire torches. The Temple courtyard was ablaze with joyous festivities. Glowing like a giant menorah casting light throughout Jerusalem, dazzling flames danced atop four 18 foot golden pillars. Each capped with a golden bowl which held about 15 liters of oil. It was a celebratory gala of lights.

Between the aroma of the burnt offerings, the golden glow that illuminated the temple courtyard and the sound of a massive all male choir, accompanied by the fire jugglers, I can almost feel the excitement. I remember, as a child, going to the circus with my grandfather. The sights, the sounds, the smells; the memories come to life even now.

You can imagine the excitement when the time came to light the lights once again.

I can think of no better way of celebrating the Maccabees reclaiming and rededicating the Holy Temple than by the boisterous merrymaking of Sukkot!

Just as the Israelites commemorated their tent dwelling days in the wilderness, the Maccabees celebrated their liberation from the tyranny of the Seleucid with joyous exuberance!

The institution of Hanukkah as a Second Sukkot

Over the course of history Sukkot became the symbol of triumph and resilience, embodying Ps. 30:5, in that sorrow may last for the night but a shout of joy comes in the morning.

On the anniversary of the day on which the temple had been profaned by the foreigners, that is, the twenty-fifth of the same month Kislev, the purification of the temple took place. The Jews celebrated joyfully for eight days as on the feast of Booths, remembering how, a little while before, they had spent the feast of Booths living like wild animals in the mountains and in caves. Carrying rods entwined with leaves, beautiful branches and palms, they sang hymns of grateful praise to him who had successfully brought about the purification of his own place. By public decree and vote they prescribed that the whole Jewish nation should celebrate these days every year. ~ 2 Maccabees 10:5–8 (NABRE)

Then Judas and his brothers and the entire assembly of Israel decreed that every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Kislev, the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary. ~ 1 Maccabees 4:59 (NABRE)

The Festival of Lights

Doesn’t it make sense that the menorah is the central to this joyful celebration? Though ours might not be 18 feet tall, they still beautifully display the enduring light.

Eight Nights

Each night during the eight days of Hanukkah, a new candle is lit on the menorah, radiating hope and showcasing the miraculous faithfulness of God. Throughout the week we take time to give thanks to God. It’s a wonderful reminder that God gives us the victory. No matter how challenging life might be in the moment, we put our hope and trust in God. The God who parted the Red Sea and delivered His people from 400 years of slavery is the same God who empowered the tiny Maccabbean army to defeat the mighty Seleucids. He is our God. He watches over those who are His. He is with us. God of the Angel Armies, Yehovah Tsabaoth.

Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. ~ Psalm 24:8 NASB

Listen carefully, the Lord GOD will come with might, And His arm will rule for Him. Most certainly His reward is with Him, And His restitution accompanies Him. ~ Isaiah 40:10 AMP

Because Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s isn’t enough.

We might not have flame jugglers or an 18 foot Menorah in our yard, but our family celebrates the joyful reminder that is Hanukkah with festive food, and lighthearted fun. We play family games like spin the dreidel, and there is always laughter, lots of laughter. With joy we reflect on another year of God’s faithfulness and rejoice in His goodness.