Blessings for Dwelling in the Sukkah

It is a mitzvah, a commandment to celebrate in the sukkah, including eating our meals there. We have several opportunities to bless this moment and make it special. 

Blessing for sitting in the sukkah

When eating or reciting kiddush in the sukkah, recite this blessing:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu leisheiv basukkah.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all: who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to dwell in the sukkah.

Blessings for the Lulav and Etrog

The lulav is a combination of date palm, willow and myrtle branches, held together by a woven palm branch. The etrog, or citron, is a lemon-like fruit with a wonderful citrus smell. When reciting the blessing over the lulav and etrog, shake them in six directions—north, south, east, west, up, and down. This action symbolizes that the Divine Presence can be found in all directions, not just in one particular place.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al n'tilat lulav.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to take up the lulav.

Shehechiyanu (blessing said when doing something for the first time)

And if it’s the first time you’re waving a lulav or sitting in the sukkah this year, you can recite a shehechiyanu marking this as a special occasion: 

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehechehyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all who, has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.



Source: Reform Judaism


Booklet Section: Sukkot & Simchat Torah 
Source: Reform Judaism: https://reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/prayers-blessings/sukkot-blessings