The Sukkah in Modern Jewish Literature and Culture

Resource Kit by
Jessica Kirzane

Module Content

Introduction

Introduction

A sukkah is a temporary building in which Jews traditionally dwell during the holiday of Sukkot, as commanded in the book of Leviticus (23:42‑5): “You shall live in booths [sukkot] seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I am the Lord your God.” In Jewish cultures, the sukkah represents and manifests the idea of home and domestic space, while also symbolizing the danger and possibility of homelessness. It is often taken to be a symbol for the transience and fragility of Jewish existence and of life itself. This kit explores representations of the sukkah in modern Jewish literature and culture.