Religious Travelers - Do you celebrate 7 or 8 days of Yom Tov in Israel?

My sister and I will be in Israel for Sukkot. Since we are just visiting and not living in Israel she believes we have to celebrate all 8 days. But, an Israeli friend of ours (whose US family visits her over Pesach every year) was told that her family could basically, "do as the Romans do" by their Lubavitcher rabbi. I guess he interpreted “living in Israel” quite broadly. So, what do you folks do?

My sister and I will be in Israel for Sukkot. Since we are just visiting and not living in Israel she believes we have to celebrate all 8 days. But, an Israeli friend of ours (whose US family visits her over Pesach every year) was told that her family could basically, "do as the Romans do" by their Lubavitcher rabbi. I guess he interpreted “living in Israel” quite broadly. So, what do you folks do?

When it comes to matters such as this, I always recommend that a person speaks to their Local Orthodox Rabbi.

The notion of "When in Rome do as the Romans Do",I can say w/o a doubt is not a Religious Jewish answer, or should I say,should not be...

Its very rare to find 2 different people where everything is exactly the same for both. Thats why its best to seek the advice of a LOR

That said, Succoth is the best time of the year to be in Israel, although it will be falling out late this yr so the weather might be on the cooler side. In the past 35 yrs , I think I missed being there twice, the last time was in '00 and hopefully it will wont happen again.

I've heard many shiurim (classes) about this topic, and, while I certainly agree to consult your local rabbi, whatever you choose, you have an opinion to rely on (al mi lismoch). I'll tell you one thing, if you keep second day of Yom Tov when the rest of the country doesn't, you feel really stupid and out of place, like you are "frummer than G-d" or at least the millions of Israelis that are not keeping 2nd days.

I've heard many shiurim (classes) about this topic, and, while I certainly agree to consult your local rabbi, whatever you choose, you have an opinion to rely on (al mi lismoch). I'll tell you one thing, if you keep second day of Yom Tov when the rest of the country doesn't, you feel really stupid and out of place, like you are "frummer than G-d" or at least the millions of Israelis that are not keeping 2nd days.

Maybe if 1 is located outside of Jerusalem, in certain sections of Jerusalem, Id say youd feel funny if you werent keeping 2 days YT

Ask your LOR. Different rabbis will tell you different things. I know personally of some Lubavitch rabbis who say keep 1, and some who say keep 2. As to the 'do what the Romans do' comment, i would guess that he was telling them to do what the romans do, as opposed to 'do what the romans do' being the basis for his ruling, lol.

goodo

Yikes...I did not mean to leave anyone with the impression that their Rabbi actually said "when in Rome....". It was just my way of paraphrasing his response which was that it was ok that they keep yuntif just the same way as their Israeli relatives celebrate...ie 7 not 8 days.

Yikes...I did not mean to leave anyone with the impression that their Rabbi actually said "when in Rome....". It was just my way of paraphrasing his response which was that it was ok that they keep yuntif just the same way as their Israeli relatives celebrate...ie 7 not 8 days.


I didnt take it that way, that some Rabbi said it.

I know people that have an apt in Jerusalem yet hold 2 days when they are there over YT. Others who havent been in Israel for yrs and wont be again for yrs, decided on their own to hold 1 day only.

thats why I said ask your LOR, it really isnt a simple matter

Yikes...I did not mean to leave anyone with the impression that their Rabbi actually said "when in Rome....". It was just my way of paraphrasing his response which was that it was ok that they keep yuntif just the same way as their Israeli relatives celebrate...ie 7 not 8 days.

i didn't think that, but it sounded like craz thought so, lol.

shabbat shalom
goodo

That said, Succoth is the best time of the year to be in Israel, although it will be falling out late this yr ...

I believe the holiday falls on the same day every year. ;)

I believe the holiday falls on the same day every year. ;)

All Jewish holidays are based on the lunar not solar calender
Therefore while the Hebrew calender date is always the same, the regular calender date constantly changes
The previous writer is correct. This year Succot comes out between Oct 13-21 which is very late.
The weather can be chilly in the evening especially in Jerusalem and there could be a slight possibility of rain
But I do agreee, Israel and Jerusalem is the place to be for Succot and of course always consult your Local Orthodox Rabbi as what do on the second days

i just heard that there are some LOR in Israel who say one can't observe 2 days in Israel, even if one lives outside of Israel.

actually i like the other way...when you celebrate just one day when visiitng outside Israel.

Haniboo...could you elaborate on your comment? Is there a website you can direct me to? I would like to learn more about what these rabbi's are saying.

Haniboo...could you elaborate on your comment? Is there a website you can direct me to? I would like to learn more about what these rabbi's are saying.I don't remember the posek (authority), but there is a shita (opinion) that you keep wherever you are- so a visitor to Israel would keep 1 day, but an Israeli in chutz laaretz (outside of Israel) would keep two.

My sister and I will be in Israel for Sukkot. Since we are just visiting and not living in Israel she believes we have to celebrate all 8 days. But, an Israeli friend of ours (whose US family visits her over Pesach every year) was told that her family could basically, "do as the Romans do" by their Lubavitcher rabbi. I guess he interpreted “living in Israel” quite broadly. So, what do you folks do?

I think everyone who visits does 8 days. Like you mentioned however lubavitchers do 7.

I don't remember the posek (authority), but there is a shita (opinion) that you keep wherever you are- so a visitor to Israel would keep 1 day, but an Israeli in chutz laaretz (outside of Israel) would keep two.

I'd be curious as the the source. I have never heard a posek regarding this situation calling for shorter observance.

Also, I'm not sure Minhag Makom would allow me to eat ice cream an hour after a fleish meal in Holland. Nice thought though.

I'd be curious as the the source. I have never heard a posek regarding this situation calling for shorter observance.

Also, I'm not sure Minhag Makom would allow me to eat ice cream an hour after a fleish meal in Holland. Nice thought though.Well, just be a female and marry a Dutch Sfardi. Rice on Pesach as well! ^

I'd be curious as the the source. I have never heard a posek regarding this situation calling for shorter observance.

Also, I'm not sure Minhag Makom would allow me to eat ice cream an hour after a fleish meal in Holland. Nice thought though.

Obviously. Minhag hamakom only applies in certain situation. This would seem like one of those situations, as the whole question is what day the holiday comes out on in the diaspora.

"When in Rome do as the Romans Do"

They keep 8 days of Succos in Rome

I asked this question of my own Rabbi (Chabad) a few years ago, when I was travelling with my 2 children, but without my (now ex) wife, with whom I was then separated, pending divorce.

His answer was that if we were travelling as a family unit, then I would keep seven days, and asked "If you were offered a job there for some vast amount of money, on condition that you needed to stay there, would you take it?". I replied "yes", and he took that to imply that there was nothing holding me back to London.

Upon hearing, though, that I was separated but not divorced, he said that since I'm not there with my complete family, I should keep 8 days.

This year, I shall (IY"H) be travelling with my entire family, and will therefore be keeping only 7 days.

8 days in Israel was an interesting experience - on the 8th day, my extended family, like the rest of the country, were eating all kinds of things (brings up interesting questions of Ba'al Yira'eh), but I was still on Matza. I was staying in Ramat Bet Shemesh, and found a minyan of Chassidishe guys (mostly from NY) who were spending time there with their Rebbe, and were also keeping 8 days. The second Seder was also an interesting experience - doing a Seder for my kids, whilst my uncle and family were going about their business.

But, frankly, I'm happy to be doing only 7 this year. The only question left is: Will my parents/sisters be doing the same thing as me, or will they have received a different ruling from their Australian Rav??? Hmm...