Welcome to Miriam’s House: Not Your Children’s Judaism
I am about to become an empty nester. Years ago, when the kids first started going to camp, my husband and I used to call ourselves “ENITs,” Empty Nesters in Training.
chol hamo-eid
"Secular part of the occasion;" during Passover and Sukkot, the intermediate days of the festival.
etrog
"Citron." Lemon-like fruit used in Sukkot rituals.
hakafah
"encircle, round off, circle around, orbit;" procession of worshippers carrying Torah scrolls that circles the sanctuary; plural hakafot.
Building Sukkot for Ourselves and Others
lulav
A date palm frond with myrtle and willow sprigs attached; used in Sukkot rituals.
Sh'mini Atzeret
"Eighth day of assembly;" conclusion of Sukkot.
sukkah
"Booth" or "hut;" temporary structure associated with the agricultural festival of Sukkot; plural: sukkot.
Sukkot
Seven-day fall agricultural festival associated with temporary booths or huts.
Tu BiShvat
"15th of Shevat;" New Year of the Trees; Jewish Arbor Day, which is a minor festival.