Israel at War Lesson Plans
RETURN TO SUKKOT RESOURCES

Ushpizin – Lesson and Activity

Grades: Upper Elementary School

Introduction

Sukkot is known as a holiday for hosting guests, and this includes inviting seven different important figures from Jewish history, also known as the “ushpizin” to our sukkot – one for each night of the holiday. In this activity, students will learn more about the background of this custom as well as about each of the ushpizin figures. Then, students will play a game to help identify each of the ushpizin, using the fact sheets as guidance. 

Materials Needed:

  • Ushpizin background information (below)
  • Printed copies of the Ushpizin info sheets (linked below)
  • Ushpizin headbands and game rules – print as many copies as needed for the size of your class (linked below)
  • Scissors and glue or tape
  • Paper clips
  • Sand timer or stopwatch

Lesson Sequence

Part 1: Background Information about the Ushpizin

Read the following information and explain to students to provide background and context for who the ushpizin are and why we are “inviting” them to our sukkah.

“Ushpizin” the Aramaic word for “guests,” refers to the seven guests, all important figures from Tanakh, who are thought of to “visit us” in the sukkah, one for each day of the holiday.

Hosting guests, the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, is important all year round, but on the holidays, we see hosting guests as an extension of the mitzvah of “rejoicing on your festival” (Devarim 16:14). This applies to all Jewish holidays, but is an especially important concept on Sukkot, as Sukkot is known as the holiday of Jewish unity. The Talmud says that “it is fitting that all Jews should sit in one sukkah (Talmud Sukkah 27b).” Even if this is not meant to be taken literally, it is a custom on Sukkot to host as many guests as possible.

In addition to inviting actual guests on Sukkot, there is a custom to “invite” the seven spiritual guests, or ushpizin, each of whom is an important historical figure from Tanakh and played a pivotal role in shaping the Jewish people. Each of these seven people guides us all year long through their stories and inspiration, but according to Kabbalah, the seven days of Sukkot are a time when their presence is more pronounced. As we enter the “temporary dwelling” of the sukkah, we can more easily tap into our spiritual sides, and “visiting” with each of the ushpizin can strengthen and inspire us more than ever.

Part 2: Learn More About the Ushpizin

Click on each name to open a PDF with more information.
Print the info sheets below or share them with students to review individually, in pairs, or as a class. Students can use these documents to either learn about or review each person’s story and characteristics. 

Part 3: Play Ushpizin Headbands

Print copies of the Ushpizin headbands and the game rules and play the game with students.