Prescriptions and Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
Josephus
Jewish Antiquities 3.244–245
93–94
Now on the fifteenth day of the same month, when the season changes to winter, he [Moses] enjoins each household to pitch tents, in apprehension of the cold and for protection at that time of year. And when they would reach their homeland, arriving in the city that, by virtue of the Temple, they would consider their metropolis, they would at that time celebrate a festival for eight days, offering whole burnt offerings and thanksgiving offerings to God, carrying in their hands myrtle branches and willow and a bough of palm, along with the citron.
Translated by William Whiston, adapted by Aaron Samuels.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
You may also like
Mass Exodus for the Festival
Simeon bar Kosiba’s Order for the Four Species
The Mishnah on the Water Libation
The Tosefta on the Water Libation
The Mishnah on Dwelling in Booths
The Talmud on Dwelling in Booths
Related Guide
Jewish Daily Life in Roman-Era Palestine
Related Guide
Ancient Jewish Festivals
Related Guide
Sukkot in Early Judaism
Creator Bio
Josephus
Flavius Josephus was born into a prominent Jewish priestly family and served as a general stationed in the Galilee during the First Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE). He was captured by the Romans and eventually integrated into the Flavian imperial aristocracy, who commissioned him to compose chronicles of the Jewish–Roman war and the history of the Jews. Josephus’ works, all written in Greek, include The Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, Against Apion, and his autobiography, Life of Josephus. These writings provide important insights into the Judaisms of the Second Temple period and include one of the few surviving accounts of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.