Holidays

Discover the great Jewish festivals that punctuate the year and give meaning to the life of the people of Israel. It highlights Hanukkah, the Festival of Light, and Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, by presenting their historical origins and spiritual significance. These celebrations recall both God's faithfulness throughout history and the Jewish people's vocation to bear witness to the light in the midst of the nations. They are rooted in the Hebrew Bible, but have been enriched by tradition and community practice over the centuries. This parent page helps you to understand the biblical, historical and symbolic context of these feasts, before going into the details of each one. It provides a starting point for understanding how these liturgical events structure the calendar, memory and identity of Judaism.