YOM TOV—WHAT IS IT?

“Have a good day!”  What expression could be more American than that!  But “good day” is literally what Yom Tov means.  Yom Tov technically refers to the three major festivals in our Tradition: Pesah, Shavu’ot, and Sukkot.  “Yontif” (the Yiddish pronunciation) is interchangeable with Yom Tov, but we use the latter in accordance with the modern Hebrew pronunciation.

In Conservative Judaism, Yom Tov is joyous, yet serious business.  It is serious because it is a day when no business is permitted.  Like Shabbat, it is a day when we close our stores, refrain from writing, leave the laundry alone, and concentrate on being together with family, friends, and community.

With a weeklong festival like Sukkot, only the first two and last two days are regarded as Yom Tov.  Everything in between is known as Hol Hamo’ed, which means “the intermediate days of the festival.”  During Hol Hamo’ed, we are permitted to work, write, wash clothes, etc., but the flavor of Yom Tov prevails as we have a little wine with dinner, continue to take our meals in the sukkah, and wave the lulav and etrog with the appropriate blessings.

Yom Tov is part of our identity as Jews and part of the way we relate to God.  Here are a few pointers on how to incorporate the Yom Tov spirit into your home.

1. Cover your Yom Tov table with a white tablecloth. 
2. Make sure to come to synagogue for the evening and/or morning services.
3. Invite guests to your home or sukkah for Yom Tov.
4. Focus your conversations on positive, uplifting subjects.
5. Try to do as little work in and around the house as possible. Don’t fix cabinets or wash floors, rake the leaves, or do laundry, etc. Rather, take walks, talk to friends, start a good book or the Tanakh (that’s the Bible) for a bit of inspiration.
6. Finally, (and this is ambitious)—plan on taking off from work or school* during Yom Tov, if not both days, at least the first days. Yom Tov is a vacation!

·         Any children who will miss school in order to attend morning services during Sukkot can obtain a letter of excuse from Rabbi Rank through the office.  Please contact the office in advance so the letter can be available to you the day you attend services.