Question 1

True or false: On Sukkot, Jews wave a bundle of four species: a palm branch, myrtle, willow, and an etrog.

Accepted Answer

True. These are the arba minim—lulav (palm), hadassim (myrtle), aravot (willow), and etrog (citron). They are waved in six directions.

Question 2

True or false: During Sukkot, it's traditional to invite symbolic guests called 'ushpizin' into the sukkah.

Accepted Answer

True. Ushpizin are seven biblical figures (like Abraham, Moses) invited each night. Some now also include female figures called ushpizot.

Question 3

True or false: Sukkot is the only Jewish holiday that requires you to eat all meals outside.

Accepted Answer

True. While you must eat in the sukkah, exceptions exist for bad weather or illness. But ideally, all meals—including breakfast—take place in the sukkah.

Question 4

True or false: The sukkah must be built under a roof or solid cover to be kosher.

Accepted Answer

False. A kosher sukkah must be open to the sky, with only a temporary roof of natural materials. A solid roof invalidates it.

Question 5

True or false: Sukkot lasts for seven days in Israel but eight days everywhere else in the world.

Accepted Answer

False. Sukkot is always a seven-day festival, both in Israel and the Diaspora. The extra day abroad is Shemini Atzeret, a separate holiday immediately following Sukkot.

Question 6

True or false: Sukkot is immediately followed by the holiday of Simchat Torah in both Israel and the diaspora.

Accepted Answer

False. In Israel, Simchat Torah starts right after Sukkot's last day. In the diaspora, there's an extra intermediate day called Shemini Atzeret first.

Question 7

True or false: Sleeping in the sukkah during Sukkot is allowed but not required by Jewish law.

Accepted Answer

False. Sleeping in the sukkah is a requirement (unless bad weather or discomfort). Many modern Jews don't do it, but Jewish law mandates it.

Question 8

True or false: The word 'sukkah' comes from the Hebrew word for 'tent of meeting' from the Torah.

Accepted Answer

False. 'Sukkah' means 'booth' or 'hut,' not 'tent of meeting.' That's the mishkan. The sukkah recalls the huts Israelites lived in during the Exodus.

Sukkot Trivia Questions