Ushpizin: Inviting the 7 Holy Guests

Who are the invisible guests at your Sukkot table? The custom of Ushpizin (Aramaic for guests) is one of the most beautiful and mystical traditions of Sukkot. Each night of the seven-day holiday, we symbolically invite one of seven great figures from Jewish history to join us in the sukkah. These spiritual visitors connect our physical dwelling to the deepest roots of our heritage.

The Origin of the Custom

The Ushpizin tradition comes from the Zohar, the foundational text of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). The Zohar teaches that when a person sits in the sukkah, the seven shepherds of Israel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David, come to share in the joy. Each night, one of them leads, accompanied by the other six.

This teaching transforms the sukkah from a simple temporary dwelling into a spiritual meeting place where past and present converge. The fragile walls of the sukkah become a gateway to eternity, where the great souls of Jewish history join contemporary Jews in celebrating God's protection.

The Seven Guests

Night 1: Abraham (Avraham)

Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, represents the quality of chesed (lovingkindness). He was the ultimate host, sitting at the entrance of his tent to welcome travelers even while recovering from circumcision. His presence in the sukkah reminds us that hospitality is a supreme Jewish value. The sukkah, like Abraham's tent, should be open to guests, especially those who might otherwise be alone.

Night 2: Isaac (Yitzchak)

Isaac represents gevurah (strength and discipline). His willingness to be bound on the altar demonstrates the strength of devotion and self-sacrifice. Isaac teaches us that true strength is not aggression but the discipline to submit to a higher purpose. In the sukkah, we practice this by willingly leaving the comfort of our homes.

Night 3: Jacob (Yaakov)

Jacob represents tiferet (beauty, harmony, and truth). He balanced the expansive love of Abraham with the discipline of Isaac, creating a harmonious whole. Jacob's life was filled with struggle (with Esau, Laban, and the angel), yet through it all he maintained his integrity. He reminds us that beauty emerges from the integration of opposing forces.

Night 4: Moses (Moshe)

Moses represents netzach (endurance and victory). He led the people through forty years of desert wandering, enduring complaints, rebellions, and his own personal disappointments. Yet he never gave up. Moses in the sukkah reminds us of the endurance needed to sustain a life of faith and purpose over the long term.

Night 5: Aaron (Aharon)

Aaron represents hod (splendor, humility, and gratitude). He was known as a lover and pursuer of peace, always seeking to resolve conflicts and bring people together. His service in the Temple was conducted with humility and awe. Aaron's presence reminds us that the sukkah should be a place of peace, where conflicts are set aside and harmony prevails.

Night 6: Joseph (Yosef)

Joseph represents yesod (foundation and connection). Sold into slavery by his brothers, he rose to become the viceroy of Egypt and ultimately saved his family from famine. Joseph maintained his identity and values even in the most challenging environment. He teaches us that our spiritual foundation can remain strong regardless of external circumstances.

Night 7: David (David HaMelech)

David represents malchut (kingship and sovereignty). The great king of Israel, poet of the Psalms, and ancestor of the future Messiah, David embodies the fullest expression of Jewish leadership. His presence on the final night connects Sukkot to the ultimate redemption and the hope for a restored Jerusalem.

How to Welcome the Ushpizin

The traditional way to welcome the Ushpizin is to recite a special invitation before the evening meal in the sukkah. The text typically begins: I invite to my meal the exalted guests, and then names the guest of the evening followed by the other six. Many communities have beautiful melodies for this recitation.

Some families set an extra chair or place setting for the Ushpizin. Others display artwork or cards depicting the guest of the evening. The invitation can be recited in Hebrew, Aramaic, or any language, and can be expanded with personal reflections on the qualities that each guest represents.

Making It Personal

A meaningful practice is to discuss the quality associated with each night's guest at the dinner table. On Abraham's night, talk about hospitality and kindness. On Isaac's night, discuss inner strength and discipline. Use the Ushpizin as a framework for family conversation about values and aspirations.

Some families have added female Ushpizin: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, and Ruth, corresponding to the seven nights. This practice, while not found in the original sources, has been adopted by many communities as a way of honoring the matriarchs and female leaders of Jewish history.

For more on Sukkot, see our guides to eating in the sukkah, the four species, and Hoshanah Rabbah.