Last day of Sukkot in Canada
Quick Facts
Many Jewish communities in countries such as Canada observe the last day of Sukkot, which marks the end of the Sukkot festival.Name
Last day of SukkotLast day of Sukkot 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009Last day of Sukkot 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.
See list of observations below
Many Jewish people in Canada mark Hoshana Rabbah (or Hoshana Raba) as the last day of Sukkot (Succot, Succoth, Sukkoth) in their calendars. This day is the end of the Sukkot period, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. The Sukkot festival is observed during the week starting on 15th day of Tishri (or Tishrei), which is the first month of the year in the Jewish calendar.
A lemon-like fruit from a citron tree is used during Sukkot. ©iStockphoto.com/Odelia Cohen
What do people do?
Hoshana Rabbah is the last day for many Jewish Canadians to dwell in the sukkah but some traditional followers continue to stay in this temporary structure through to Shmini Atzeret, which starts after Hoshana Rabbah. Many Jewish people in Canada consider Hoshana Rabbah as the final day of the divine judgment when people’s fate for the New Year is determined. The Hoshanot prayers are recited and a special ritual involving the “four species” (plants) is performed.
Public life
The last day of Sukkot is not a nationwide public holiday in Canada. However, many Jewish businesses, schools and organizations may be closed or offer a reduced level of service.
Background
The Sukkot period is a time to remember the Jewish people’s wandering in the desert for 40 years following their exodus from Egypt, according to Jewish teachings. It is also a time to celebrate the grape harvest. Some sources claim that Sukkot lasts for about seven days while others state that it is an eight-day festival.
The seventh day of Sukkot is known as Hoshana Rabbah while the eighth day is known as Shmini Atzeret and the day after is called Simchat Torah. Hoshana Rabbah is known as the day of the final sealing of judgment, which began on Rosh Hashanah.
Symbols
An important Sukkot symbol is the sukkah. This is a temporary structure with a roof made of sechach or s'chach, which is raw, unfinished plant material, such as palm branches, bamboo poles, reeds or even corn stalks.
The “four species” are also important symbols of Sukkot and represent the blessings of nature. These are lulav (a green, closed frond of a date palm tree), hadass (twigs and leaves from a myrtle tree), aravah (twigs and leaves from a willow tree) and etrog (a lemon-like fruit of the citron tree).
About Last day of Sukkot in other countries
Read more about Last day of Sukkot.Last day of Sukkot Observances
Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | Oct 1 | 1980 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Oct 19 | 1981 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 8 | 1982 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Sep 28 | 1983 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 17 | 1984 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Oct 6 | 1985 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 24 | 1986 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 14 | 1987 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Oct 2 | 1988 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 20 | 1989 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 10 | 1990 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Sep 29 | 1991 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Oct 18 | 1992 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 6 | 1993 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Sep 26 | 1994 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Oct 15 | 1995 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 4 | 1996 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 22 | 1997 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Oct 11 | 1998 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 1 | 1999 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 20 | 2000 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2001 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Sep 27 | 2002 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 17 | 2003 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 6 | 2004 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Oct 24 | 2005 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 13 | 2006 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 3 | 2007 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Oct 20 | 2008 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Oct 9 | 2009 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Sep 29 | 2010 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 19 | 2011 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Oct 7 | 2012 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Sep 25 | 2013 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Oct 15 | 2014 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Oct 4 | 2015 | Last day of Sukkot | Jewish holiday |
Related holidays
- First day of Sukkot–Saturday, October 3, 2009
- Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah–Saturday, October 10, 2009
- Rosh Hashana–Saturday, September 19, 2009
Other holidays in October 2009 in Canada
- First day of Sukkot (Saturday, October 3, 2009)
- Feast of St Francis of Assisi (Sunday, October 4, 2009)
- Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (Saturday, October 10, 2009)
- Thanksgiving Day (Monday, October 12, 2009)
- Diwali/Deepavali (Saturday, October 17, 2009)
- Halloween (Saturday, October 31, 2009)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
