Following the conclusion of Motzai Yom Kippur, it is a widespread custom for individuals to seek out their friends to appease them and ask for forgiveness. This practice stems from the realization that any friction or offenses that occurred during the year must be resolved personally. The underlying halachic reason for this timing is that Yom Kippur itself only provides atonement for transgressions committed between man and God. As the verse states, "Before God you shall be purified," implying that only those matters "before God" are cleared by the day’s sanctity. However, for offenses between one person and another, atonement is not achieved until the offended party is appeased. Interestingly, while many have the custom to seek this forgiveness before the fast, there is a significant tradition of doing so afterward. The logic is that once a person has reconciled with God, they find it easier to reconcile with their fellow man, reaching a state of complete spiritual wholeness.
Upon returning home at the conclusion of the fast, one performs the transition from the holy day to the mundane. One recites the prayer over a cup of wine and recites the blessing over fire, but notably, the blessing over spices is omitted. This rule applies even when the fast concludes on Motzai Shabbat. Following this, one should set the table and eat the post-fast meal with a sense of genuine joy and a glad heart. This joy reflects a person’s gratitude that God granted them such a holy day and, in His mercy, forgave their sins. One should remain confident that their judgment was favorable. From this point forward, a person must be vigilant to avoid even accidental mistakes, striving to keep their "garments white," symbolizing a life that remains clean and pure from sin.
Those who are particularly meticulous in their observance do not wait to begin their next spiritual task. Immediately after finishing their meal, and before engaging in any other work, they begin working on the commandment of the booth. By starting to set up the structure or preparing the area right away, they demonstrate a desire to go from strength to strength, moving immediately from one commandment to the next. This ensures the new year begins with active service. While one does not necessarily need to complete the entire construction that night, performing an action like moving the roofing material or arranging furniture establishes this positive start.
The days following the fast are dedicated to the commandments of the upcoming festival of Sukkot. This includes completing the booth and acquiring the four species: the palm branch, citron, myrtle, and willow. Because of God’s love for Israel, He provided an abundance of commandments during these awesome days to nourish the soul. It is important to remember that although the fast has passed, the judgment is not yet entirely finalized. The tradition teaches that a "second seal" occurs on Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh day of the festival, when the final verdict is issued. Therefore, one should remain mindful and continue to increase their acts of charity, justice, and kindness toward the poor and needy during the interval between Rosh Hashanah and the end of the festival. Acting properly during these days is just as critical as the period leading up to the fast, as it helps secure a favorable final judgment. Every commandment should be performed with great love and joy, as the happiness found in the deed is the essence of the service.
The specific requirements for the construction of the booth, including its height, width, and minimum dimensions, are classified as Halacha L'Moshe M'Sinai. The structure must not be taller than twenty cubits—roughly forty feet—and it must be at least ten handbreadths high, which is approximately thirty to forty inches. The floor area must be at least seven by seven handbreadths, enough to accommodate the majority of a person’s body while they eat. While there is a minimum size, there is no maximum limit to the area; a booth can be as large as several acres so long as it is properly covered.
The walls of the booth can be constructed from any material, whether wood, metal, plastic, or vinyl. The slats or poles can run either horizontally or vertically. The essential requirement is that the structure remains stable in the wind. If there are gaps between the slats or poles, they must be less than three handbreadths apart—roughly ten inches—to be considered a solid wall. For those using canvas walls that might flap in the breeze, it is common to use horizontal bands or ropes spaced less than three handbreadths apart to ensure the structure meets the legal definition of a wall. While the roofing material itself cannot always be perfectly still, the walls must have a degree of permanence so the wind does not blow them back and forth.
The roofing material must be made from something that grew from the ground but is now detached. Furthermore, it must be a material that cannot receive ritual impurity. This means one cannot use finished vessels or food as roofing. For this reason, items like wooden slats or bamboo are ideal, whereas a vine of grapes still attached to the ground or a finished wooden tool would be invalid. One should also ensure the roofing does not have an unpleasant odor, such as mildew from improper storage. It is best to dry the material thoroughly in the sun before storing it to prevent mold. Ideally, the roofing should be dense enough to provide more shade than sunlight, but not so thick that it acts like a permanent roof; both sunlight and rain should be able to penetrate the structure to maintain its status as a temporary dwelling.
A person should strive to make their booth welcoming and comfortable. It should not be placed in a location that is excessively hot, windy, or prone to insects, as these conditions might drive a person back into their house. If a booth is built in a way that makes it impossible to sit in comfortably, it fails to fulfill its purpose as a dwelling. It is also a virtuous practice to beautify the booth with decorations, flowers, or pictures of sages to show one’s pride in the commandment. This enhancement of the commandment brings a reward beyond the basic fulfillment of the obligation.
Throughout the seven days of the festival, the booth must be treated as one’s primary residence. One should eat, drink, sleep, and study Torah within its walls. However, if sitting in the booth causes significant distress—such as during heavy rain, extreme heat, or a plague of insects—one is permitted to leave. The logic is that the booth should be treated like your home; just as you would leave a room in your house if the roof were leaking or if it were infested with bugs, you may leave the booth under similar circumstances. One is not required to endure more discomfort in the booth than they would tolerate in their own permanent home.