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Leviticus 23:39 - Joyous Sukkot harvest celebration

Leviticus 23:39 - ויקרא 23:39

Hebrew Text

אַךְ בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאָסְפְּכֶם אֶת־תְּבוּאַת הָאָרֶץ תָּחֹגּוּ אֶת־חַג־יְהוָה שִׁבְעַת יָמִים בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן שַׁבָּתוֹן וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי שַׁבָּתוֹן׃

English Translation

Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep a feast to the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

Transliteration

Akh bachamisha asar yom lachodesh hashvi'i be'aspechem et-tevu'at ha'aretz tachogu et-chag-Adonai shiv'at yamim bayom harishon shabbaton uvayom hashmini shabbaton.

Hebrew Leining Text

אַ֡ךְ בַּחֲמִשָּׁה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֜וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בְּאׇסְפְּכֶם֙ אֶת־תְּבוּאַ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֶת־חַג־יְהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן וּבַיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י שַׁבָּתֽוֹן׃
אַ֡ךְ בַּחֲמִשָּׁה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֜וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בְּאׇסְפְּכֶם֙ אֶת־תְּבוּאַ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ תָּחֹ֥גּוּ אֶת־חַג־יְהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן וּבַיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י שַׁבָּתֽוֹן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Timing of Sukkot

The verse (Vayikra 23:39) establishes the mitzvah of observing Chag HaSukkot on the 15th day of the seventh month (Tishrei), following the harvest season. Rashi explains that this timing ensures the festival occurs when the grain and fruit have been gathered into the homes, allowing for joyous celebration without agricultural distractions. The Midrash (Sifra) connects this to the theme of gratitude, as one gives thanks to Hashem after the harvest is secured.

The Seven-Day Festival

The Torah mandates a seven-day celebration, with the first day being a Yom Tov (a Sabbath-like day of rest). Rambam (Hilchot Shofar, Sukkah v'Lulav 6:1) emphasizes that this period is designated for rejoicing before Hashem, as reflected in the mitzvot of dwelling in the sukkah and taking the four species (lulav, etrog, hadasim, and aravot). The Talmud (Sukkah 11b) discusses whether the sukkah commemorates the physical booths of the wilderness or the divine clouds of glory (Ananei HaKavod), with the latter being the accepted view in Halacha.

The Eighth Day: Shemini Atzeret

The verse concludes by mentioning an additional day of rest (Shemini Atzeret). Rashi explains that this day is a separate festival, where Hashem "detains" (atzeret) the Jewish people for an intimate celebration after Sukkot, akin to a king who asks his beloved guests to stay a little longer. The Talmud (Sukkah 55b) teaches that while Sukkot includes offerings for the nations, Shemini Atzeret is exclusively for the Jewish people, symbolizing our unique relationship with Hashem.

Halachic Observances

  • First Day (15 Tishrei): A full Yom Tov with prohibitions on labor, except for food preparation (Orach Chayim 629).
  • Intermediate Days (Chol HaMoed): Partial restrictions on labor, with continued mitzvot of sukkah and lulav (Rambam, Hilchot Yom Tov 7:1).
  • Shemini Atzeret (22 Tishrei): A standalone Yom Tov, marked by the prayer for rain (Tefillat Geshem) and, in Eretz Yisrael, Simchat Torah (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 668).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sukkah 48a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the observance of Sukkot and the nature of the festival days, particularly the first and eighth days as days of rest.
📖 Menachot 65b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the timing of festivals and the specific requirements for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What holiday is being described in Leviticus 23:39?
A: This verse describes the holiday of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), which begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (the seventh month). It is a seven-day festival where we dwell in temporary booths (sukkot) to remember how the Israelites lived in temporary shelters during their 40 years in the wilderness. The first day and the eighth day (Shemini Atzeret) are days of complete rest (Shabbaton).
Q: Why does Sukkot come after gathering the harvest?
A: Sukkot is called 'Chag Ha'asif' (the Festival of Ingathering) because it occurs after the agricultural harvest is gathered (Exodus 23:16). The Torah connects our joy in the harvest with gratitude to Hashem for providing our sustenance. The Talmud (Sukkah 11b) explains that we leave our permanent homes to dwell in temporary sukkot to remember that our material blessings ultimately come from Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of the 'eighth day' mentioned in this verse?
A: The eighth day is Shemini Atzeret, a separate holiday immediately following Sukkot (though often considered part of the Sukkot festival). Rashi explains that after the seven days of Sukkot, Hashem asks us to stay one more day for an intimate celebration, like a king who asks his beloved children to delay their departure. In Israel, it is also Simchat Torah when we complete the annual Torah reading cycle.
Q: Why are the first and eighth days called 'Shabbaton'?
A: The term 'Shabbaton' means a day of complete rest, similar to Shabbat, where creative work (melacha) is prohibited (Leviticus 23:39-40). However, unlike Shabbat, cooking and carrying are permitted (when using an eruv). The Rambam (Hilchot Yom Tov 1:1-2) explains that these days have both similarities and differences from Shabbat, with their own unique sanctity.
Q: How do we observe Sukkot today based on this verse?
A: Today we observe Sukkot by: 1) Building and dwelling in a sukkah (as derived from Leviticus 23:42-43), 2) Taking the Four Species (lulav, etrog, myrtle, and willow - Leviticus 23:40), 3) Refraining from work on the first and eighth days (as stated in this verse), and 4) Expressing joy before Hashem (Deuteronomy 16:14-15). The Talmud (Sukkah 28a) details the specific requirements for a kosher sukkah.