Samech

Samech is for...

Sukkos: One of the “shalosh regalim” (a pilgrimage festival), Sukkos commemorates the travel from Egypt to Israel, as commanded in Vayikra (Leviticus 23:42). During the holiday, all meals are eaten inside of a Sukkah (the required hut-like temporary dwelling), and many also sleep inside of the Sukkah.

Sefiras HaOmer: Known generally as “sefira” (“counting”), Sefiras HaOmer is the verbal counting of the days from Pesach (Passover) to Shavuos (Feast of Weeks) as commanded in Vayikra (Leviticus 23:15-16). The forty-nine days are counted at night, generally at the end of the evening service, and follow the days from when the first barley offering was brought to the Beis HaMikdosh (temple) until the wave offering was delivered.

Sofer: A sofer is a professional scribe who writes Torahs, inserts for mezzuzos and tefillin, and other items that are required to be written with special writing and on special klaf (processed leather).

Siddur: The book containing the set of daily, or weekly (weekday and Sabbath) prayers, as well as blessings, special prayer services for Rosh Chodesh (the first day of a new month), and often general interpretation and laws is called a “siddur”.

Seder: Meaning “order” (the word is also the root of “siddur”), a seder is the ordered meal conducted on the first two nights of Pesach (Passover).