Chabad of Yonkers Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz builds the sukkah and places the shach on top with the help of his daughters Chava and Zlata. Photo (c) Robert Kalfus 2026
By Robert Kalfus
Annually in the Jewish month of Tishrei, which occurs usually around fall harvest time, Jews celebrate Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, for seven days. Jews build a hut, the sukkah which must have an unobstructed view of the sky, not overshadowed by tree branches or another structure. The sukkah must have at least two and a half walls and a roof made of branches and leaves. It is important that when inside the sukkah, one can still see the sky through the branches, or at night, a minimum of three stars must be visible. The sukkah will not be used if rain wets the interior and would wet the food which people will be eating.
The Torah commands: “All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Israel.” The sukkah can represent the Clouds of Glory, which protected the Jews as they left Epypt, or the actual huts in which they dwelt.
Observant Jewish families have all their meals, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, seated inside the sukkah. Some even study and sleep in the sukkah. Every day they shake the branches of the four different species of plants mentioned in the Torah: etrog, palm, myrtle and willow.
Sukkot commemorates the 40 years the Jewish people spent in the desert of their journey to Israel after escaping from slavery in Egypt. The sukkah is a reminder that only G-d is able to give a real sense of security and safety when “You shall well in booths for seven days”. Sukkot is a week long Jewish holiday celebrating the fall festival, one of the most joyful festivals in Judaism.
Sukkot is celebrated by building and decorating a sukkah, prayer, and celebrating with family and friends, inviting and hosting meals. It is a time to bring together family, friends and community. Chabad of Yonkers/Greystone Jewish Center Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz built this sukkah for the use of his family and his synagogue’s community during all the days of Sukkot.