Philo’s Explanation of Sukkot

Philo

On the Special Laws 2.204–211, 213–214

First Half of 1st Century

The last of the annual feasts, called Tabernacles, recurs at the autumn equinox. From this we may draw two morals. The first is, that we should honour equality and hate inequality, for the former is the source and fountain of justice, the latter of injustice. The former is akin to open sunlight, the latter to darkness. The second moral is, that…

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Philo’s explanation of Sukkot addresses its timing, the practice of dwelling in booths, and the addition of an eighth day at the end of the festival. Interestingly, he does not mention the biblical injunction to take four species of plants as part of the rejoicing (Leviticus 23:40).

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