Editing Second Temple (section)

=== Pilgrimage festivals ===

==== Passover ====
On the 14th of [[Nisan]], the eve of [[Passover]], participants would bring a lamb or kid to the Temple for sacrifice. The slaughtering took place in the Temple courtyards, typically in the afternoon—between the ninth and eleventh hours (roughly 3–5 PM)—according to Josephus,<ref>''The Jewish War'', VI, 423</ref> who also notes that groups of 10 to 20 people shared each animal.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=575}} The Mishnah<ref>Mishnah, ''Pesahim'', V, 5–7</ref> records that the sacrifices were performed in three organized batches, with priests assisting by collecting and pouring the blood at the base of the altar.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=575}} Once slaughtered, the animals were roasted—in [[Clay oven|clay ovens]], according to the Mishnah<ref>Mishnah, ''Pesachim'', 7:1–2</ref>—and eaten later that night, along with unleavened bread ([[Matzah|''matzah'']]) and bitter herbs (''[[maror]]''), in accordance with [[Exodus 12]].{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=576}} Participants also recited the [[Hallel]] during the meal.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=576}}

==== Shavuot ====
[[Shavuot]] was observed on the fiftieth day following the waving of the ''<nowiki/>'omer'' (barley offering).{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=577}} Celebrated in the month of [[Sivan]], it marked the beginning of the wheat harvest and served as the conclusion of the Passover season, earning it the alternative name ''<nowiki/>'Atseret'' ("conclusion") in some sources.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=577}} The central Temple ritual in Shavuot was the offering of the "two loaves" of wheat bread, along with prescribed animal sacrifices, as outlined in the Torah.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=577}} According to rabbinic tradition,<ref>Mishnah, ''Menahot'', 10:6</ref> while new grain (''ḥadash'') was permitted for general use after the omer offering, wheat for meal offerings in the Temple was permitted only from Shavuot onward.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=577}} Shavuot also functioned as the festival of [[First Fruits|first fruits]] (''bikkurim''), during which pilgrims brought offerings from the [[Seven Species|seven species]] to the Temple priesthood.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=577}} According to the Mishnah,<ref>Mishnah, ''Bikkurim'', 1:3</ref> these ''bikkurim'' could be brought from Shavuot until Sukkot.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=577}}

==== Sukkot ====
The pilgrimage festival of [[Sukkot]], which began on the 15th of Tishrei and lasted seven days, was regarded as the preeminent Jewish festival during the Second Temple period.<ref>For example: Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', VIII, 100</ref>{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}} Its centrality is evident in the ancient sources, some referring to it simply as "the Festival".<ref>For example: Mishnah, ''Rosh HaShana'', 1:2</ref>{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}}{{Sfn|Safrai|Stern|p=894|Flusser|van Unnik|1988}} Temple offerings during Sukkot involved a extraoridnarily high number of animals sacrificed daily as required by the Torah.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}}{{Sfn|Safrai|Stern|p=894|Flusser|van Unnik|1988}} Central to the celebration was the procession with the '[[Four species|Four Species]]' (which derives from [[Leviticus 23]])<ref>Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews,'' III, 245</ref>—a palm branch (''[[lulav]]''), myrtle (''hadas''), [[willow]] ([[Aravah (Sukkot)|''aravah'']]), and citron ([[Etrog|''etrog'']])—which were carried, and according to the Mishnah,<ref>Mishnah, ''[[Sukkah (Talmud)|Sukkah]]'', 3:9</ref> shaken, during the recitation of [[Psalm 118]].{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}} Another key ritual was the willow ceremony, in which large willow branches were placed around the altar.{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}} Participants would circle the altar once each day and seven times on the seventh day, reciting Psalm 118 and concluding with the beating of branches. According to the Mishnah, the willow ceremony overrode the Shabbat, though the [[Boethusians]] objecting to this ruling.<ref>Mishnah, ''Sukkah'', 4:5–6</ref>{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}} The water libation ritual, symbolizing the onset of the rainy season, involved water drawn from the [[Pool of Siloam]] and poured by the priest at the altar each day.<ref>Mishnah, ''Sukkah'', 4:9–10</ref>{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}} Each night, this ritual was preceded by the [[Simchat Beit HaShoeivah|Simchat Beit HaShoevah]], a night-long celebration held in the Temple courtyards, characterized by music, dancing, and the lighting of bonfires.<ref>Mishnah, ''Sukkah'', 5:1–5</ref>{{Sfn|Doering|2012|p=578}}{{Sfn|Safrai|Stern|p=895|Flusser|van Unnik|1988}} The Levites stood on the steps leading to the Nicanor Gate, chanting the "Songs of Ascent" from the Book of Psalms.{{Sfn|Safrai|Stern|p=895|Flusser|van Unnik|1988}}