Sukkot festival emphasizes hospitality and temporary dwellings

Sukkot is a Jewish festival centered on the tradition of dwelling in temporary structures known as sukkot or sukkahs. The holiday commemorates the period when Jewish people lived in booths in the desert following the exodus from Egypt, serving as a reminder of human precariousness and dependence on divine protection.

In contemporary observance, the festival emphasizes themes of hospitality and welcoming others. For example, the Jewish Community of Turin has utilized a communal sukkah to host activities, with local school children decorating the space with themes of hospitality. The practice involves moving life outdoors into these fragile structures, shifting focus from permanent security to openness and community connection.