Summary of the festival

Hoshana Rabbah is the seventh day of Sukkot (21 Tishrei), the last day of Chol HaMoed. Its name comes from the prayer “Hoshana” (“Save us, please”, Psalm 118:25) said during the circuits. It is considered the day on which the judgment that began on Rosh Hashanah and was sealed on Yom Kippur is finally closed, so the day has an atmosphere of prayer and seriousness alongside the joy.

The mitzvot of the day

• Seven circuits around the bimah with the four species (not just one as on the other days), saying “Hoshanot” (special piyyutim) at each one.
• Beating the willows: after the circuits we take five willow branches and beat them on the ground five times in a custom attributed to the prophets (Sukkah 44a). Many see in it a symbol of letting go of sins.
• The night of Hoshana Rabbah: it is customary to stay up all night studying, reading the book of Deuteronomy and Psalms (the “Tikkun Leil Hoshana Rabbah”), especially in Eastern and North African communities.
• Full Hallel, taking the four species, and a meal in the sukkah.

Origin in history

In the Temple, on each day of Sukkot the altar was circled once with willow branches, and on the seventh day it was circled seven times (Mishnah Sukkah 4:5). Willow branches were set up around the altar (Mishnah Sukkah 4:5), and the custom of beating the willow after the circuits is attributed to the prophets (Sukkah 44a). After the destruction the synagogues continued the custom, and it developed into the circuits and piyyutim. In the Zohar’s tradition this day is the final sealing of the judgment, hence the custom of praying more intensely.

The message for today

The willow is a branch with neither taste nor fragrance, and yet it is bound with the other species and beaten on the ground. It teaches that even someone who feels they have “nothing” in their hands is needed. After seven days spent in the shade of the sukkah, one last opportunity remains. Shemini Atzeret then follows, like a father who asks his children to stay a little longer (Rashi on Leviticus 23:36).