Penza, 12 October 2011. PenzaNews. The Jews of the whole world including those who live in the Penza region will start to celebrate Sukkot — a holiday of Kushchey — since sunset on Wednesday, October, 12th. Celebrating will last till October, 20th and Shmini Atseret will be on the eighth day.

According to the main rabbi of Russia Andrey Glotser, Sukkot means "kuschy" in Hebrew. It is seven-day holiday beginning on the 15th day of month tishrey. It is celebrated in memory of kuschy in Israelis lived in desert after leaving Egypt.

He explained: "Celebrations last one week, the first day is a day-off and Shmini Atseret "celebratory meeting of the eighth day" is celebrated on the eighth day. According to the first precept the Jews build a tent named sukka of any improvised material and cover it with leaves or straw and decorate it".

He added that the first evening of holiday the owner of sukki should have supper in it or a piece of bread at least. A tent is usually built near a synagogue for those members of community who do not have a sukki.

Andrey Glotser said: "Shmini Atseret is celebrated according to the Torah instruction: "On the eighth day you should have a celebratory meeting (Atseret) and you shouldn't work". Religious teachers consider Shmini Atseret as a separate holiday. This day people pray for the dead and about rain".