In Judaism, the three Pilgrimage Festivals, known as the Shalosh Regalim, are significant celebrations that mark key moments in the agricultural and spiritual calendar. These festivals—Passover (Pesach), Shavuot, and Sukkot—were historically times when Jews from all over Israel would journey to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and celebrate as a united community. Today, they remain central to Jewish life, filled with unique traditions, rituals, and symbolism that deepen the connection to Jewish history and faith.

Passover (Pesach)

Pesach, or Passover, is celebrated in the spring, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and the Jewish people’s liberation from slavery. During Passover, Jewish families gather to retell the story of the Exodus through the Seder meal, where symbolic foods, such as matzah (unleavened bread), bitter herbs, and charoset (a sweet paste), are enjoyed. The festival also marks the beginning of the barley harvest in ancient Israel, highlighting themes of renewal and freedom.

Key practices include:

• Removing leavened products (chametz) from the home to symbolise humility and spiritual cleansing.
• Recounting the story of the Exodus, fulfilling the commandment to “tell your child” about the miracles of the journey to freedom.

Shavuot

Shavuot, also known as the Festival of Weeks, occurs seven weeks after Passover and celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Originally, it was a harvest festival marking the end of the barley season and the beginning of the wheat harvest. Today, it’s a time of deep connection to Torah study, symbolising the acceptance of the commandments and commitment to Jewish teachings.

Traditions on Shavuot include:

• Studying Torah throughout the night, a practice known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot.
• Decorating homes and synagogues with greenery to celebrate the agricultural aspect of the festival.
• Enjoying dairy foods, such as cheesecake and blintzes, which symbolise purity and the “land flowing with milk and honey.”

Sukkot

Sukkot, also called the Feast of Tabernacles, takes place in the autumn and commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt. It’s also a harvest festival, celebrating the final gathering of the year’s crops. During Sukkot, families build temporary structures known as sukkot (singular: sukkah) and eat their meals inside them, remembering the protection and shelter provided by God in the desert.

Key elements of Sukkot include:

• The Sukkah: A temporary hut where meals are eaten, symbolising reliance on God and gratitude for life’s basic needs.
• The Four Species: The lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadas (myrtle), and aravah (willow) are held together and waved, representing unity and diversity within the Jewish community.

The Deeper Meaning of the Shalosh Regalim

Each festival offers a unique lesson: Pesach celebrates freedom and redemption, Shavuot represents divine wisdom and commitment to Torah, and Sukkot emphasises trust and gratitude. Together, they guide us in spiritual growth, reminding us of our historical journey, our connection to nature, and our reliance on God’s presence and protection.

Through the Shalosh Regalim, Jewish life is enriched with reminders of our shared history, values, and the unity that continues to bind the Jewish people across generations and locations.