Hoshana Rabba-The Quiet Finale

   Shalom and Bracha!

   This Thursday night and Friday is Hoshana Rabba. We are all familiar with Rosh Hashanah as the Day of Judgement, the ten days of repentance as the chance to improve and Yom Kippur as the day when the judgment is signed. The Zohar enlightens us to a third phase, Hoshana Rabba. On Hoshana Rabba the divine messengers are dispatched. Until then, the books are still open.

   There are many laws and customs concerning Hoshana Rabba. Many have a custom to read the entire books of Psalms and Deuteronomy the night of Hoshana Rabba (Thursday night). Apples and honey are distributed in the synagogue. Every day of Sukkot, as part of the morning service, the Torah is taken out and the congregants circle the Torah once while saying a special prayer for that day. On Hoshana Rabba, the Torah is circled seven times and all of the prayers are repeated. In addition, a lengthy prayer is said for a good year and that Moshiach should come this year.

   After circling the Torah, five willow braches are taken and beaten on the ground. Kabbalah teaches that there are five aspects of Hashem's severity, and by beating the willow branches we change the severity to sweetness. A special prayer is said as printed in the Siddur.

   It is customary to eat a festive meal in the Sukkah on Hoshana Rabba (Friday during the day), during which the Challah is dipped in honey as a sign of a good year. Hoshana Rabba is an ideal day to finish of good deeds we wanted to do during the High Holidays but didn't have a chance. An extra act of charity, another good deed, another Mitzvah... to assure a great year. Hoshana Rabba never falls on Shabbat, allowing us to use money, cars, phones, and all other means to do Mitzvot.