The Three Pilgrimage Festivals, also known as Shalosh Regalim in Hebrew, are three major festivals in Judaism that hold significant religious and agricultural importance. They are Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, each with its own distinct customs and rituals.
Passover
Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It falls in the spring and coincides with the barley harvest in the Land of Israel. During Passover, Jews refrain from consuming leavened bread and eat matzah (unleavened bread) instead.
Passover is a time for families to gather for the Seder meal, retelling the story of the Exodus and affirming faith in God’s deliverance. The holiday lasts for seven or eight days, depending on one’s religious tradition, and is filled with symbolic foods and rituals.
Shavuot
Shavuot, also known as the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost, occurs 49 days after Passover. It marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the end of the grain harvest, particularly wheat. On Shavuot, it is customary to eat dairy foods and study Torah throughout the night.
Shavuot holds special significance as the time when the Jewish people accepted the Torah and entered into a covenant with God. It is a time of spiritual renewal and recommitment to living according to God’s commandments.
Sukkot
Sukkot, meaning “tabernacles,” “tents,” or “booths,” is celebrated in the autumn. It commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert and the agricultural festival of ingathering. During Sukkot, Jews build temporary shelters called sukkahs and eat meals inside them to remember the dwellings used during the Exodus.
The holiday of Sukkot lasts for seven days, with an additional day called Shemini Atzeret, which is considered a separate holiday but is often grouped together with Sukkot. Sukkot is a time of joy and thanksgiving, as Jews express gratitude for the bounty of the harvest and the protection of God.
All three festivals are pilgrimage festivals, as commanded by the Torah. In ancient times, Jews from all over Israel would travel to Jerusalem to participate in festivities and ritual worship at the Temple. Each festival corresponds with an important harvest time in the Land of Israel, symbolizing gratitude for the blessings of the land and the covenant with God.
Modern Observance
Since the destruction of the Second Temple, the obligation for Jews to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem no longer exists. However, the festivals are still observed with joy and reverence in Jewish communities around the world.
During synagogue services, passages from the Torah describing the holiday being observed are read aloud. While pilgrimages to Jerusalem are no longer obligatory, many observant Jews in or near Jerusalem make an effort to attend prayer services at the Western Wall during the holidays, keeping the spirit of pilgrimage alive.
It’s worth noting that Samaritans continue to make pilgrimages to Mount Gerizim three times a year, maintaining ancient traditions and customs to this day.
The Three Pilgrimage Festivals serve as a reminder of the rich history and traditions of Judaism, connecting Jews to their heritage and faith while celebrating the blessings of the land and the covenant with God.