What Is Sukkot?

In this episode of Holy Days, Holy People, we explore Sukkot—the biblical Feast of Tabernacles—and discover why a holiday centered around fragile, temporary shelters offers a powerful lesson about where our true security is found.

Fellowship President and Global CEO Yael Eckstein explains how Sukkot remembers God’s protection and provision for the Israelites during their journey through the desert. Yael shares the biblical traditions of the holiday—from building and dwelling in a sukkah to bringing together the four species—and reveals a deeper message behind them: our security does not come from the walls around us, but from the God who shelters us.

You’ll also hear timeless teachings from Fellowship Founder Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, of blessed memory, as he reflects on the temporary nature of material things, the importance of gratitude, and what it means to depend on God in times of both need and abundance. His teaching reminds us that Sukkot calls God’s people to leave behind comfort and convenience and recognize the One who provides every blessing.

The episode also shares the remarkable story of Shuki, an Israeli who welcomed neighbors into his sukkah in Ofakim before the October 7th attacks. When terrorists entered his community, Shuki and eight others took refuge in a bomb shelter, where he held the door shut for nearly six hours. His story brings Sukkot’s message of shelter and trust into the present day, reminding us that even when walls cannot guarantee our safety, we can place our faith in God.

Whether Sukkot is a holiday you’ve celebrated for years or one that you’re discovering for the first time, this podcast will deepen your understanding of this joyful festival found in the Bible, show you why its ancient traditions still speak so powerfully today, and encourage you to remember that our greatest shelter has never been made of wood or stone—it is found in the faithfulness of the God who shelters His people.