The day following Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot is known in Hebrew as “Isru Chag.” It’s a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar but a major holiday for Israeli school children, since there is no school on “Isru Chag.” Many Israeli families spend one final day on hikes and trips throughout the country, before returning to “normal life.”
The origins of the day go all the way back many centuries and are based on this Hebrew verse in Psalms. The verse refers to binding the festival offering to the horns of the altar, however, the Talmud (Sukkah 45b) offers an additional interpretation and praises someone who binds themselves to the festival by celebrating for an additional day.
The term “Isru Chag” literally means “bind the festival” and is derived from the Hebrew words “isru” (bind) and “chag” (festival). This concept is rooted in the idea of extending the spiritual elevation and joy of the festival for one more day, creating a bridge between the sacred time of the holiday and the return to everyday life.
In Jewish law, Isru Chag has a special status. While it’s not a full holiday, there are certain restrictions and customs associated with it:
- It’s customary to have a festive meal and wear nicer clothes than usual.
- Some have the tradition not to fast on this day, even for a yahrtzeit (anniversary of a death).
- In many communities, the tachanun prayer (a penitential prayer) is omitted from the daily prayers on Isru Chag.
- Some people have the custom of visiting family and friends on this day, continuing the spirit of the festival.
After weeks of celebrating and enjoying our close connection to God from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur and then the 8 day Sukkot festival, it’s difficult to go back to our daily, mundane routines. We have spent the last few weeks in deep prayer, repentance, fasting and celebration with God and each other, that it’s challenging to resume “normal life” just like that.
Isru Chag serves as a transition and gives us one final chance to bask in the glow of this special time of year. It’s seen as an opportunity to internalize the lessons and spiritual growth gained during the festival and to carry them forward into everyday life.
In Israel, Isru Chag has taken on additional significance as a day for family outings and nature trips. Many Israelis use this day to explore the country’s natural beauty and historical sites, often picnicking or hiking. This practice aligns well with the spiritual concept of Isru Chag, as it allows families to spend quality time together and appreciate the blessings of their homeland before returning to their regular routines.
The observance of Isru Chag varies among different Jewish communities. In the Diaspora, where an extra day is added to biblical festivals (known as Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), Isru Chag often falls on the day after this additional day. This means that while Israelis might be celebrating Isru Chag, Jews in the Diaspora are still observing the last day of the festival itself.
In essence, Isru Chag serves as a gentle transition from the heightened spiritual state of the festivals back to everyday life. It reminds us to carry the joy, lessons, and spiritual insights of the holidays with us throughout the year, binding ourselves to the festival’s essence long after its official conclusion.