Laws and Customs, Hoshana Rabba - Shabbat Bereishit

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Rabbi Aryeh Citron

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Oct 19, 2011, 1:06:59 AM10/19/11
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Hoshana Rabba, Shmini Atzeret, Simchat Torah 5772

Sponsored by Aron and Meira Gewirtz in memory of Meira’s brother, Kasriel  ben Yehudah Benjamin, may his neshama have an aliyah

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All times are from www.chabad.org and correct for Miami Beach. For other locations, see below. The page numbers are in the new Chabad Siddur

Table of Contents:

1.      At a Glance

2.      Laws and Customs

At a Glance

Hoshana Rabba

  1. Stay up all (or part of the) night and say the book of Devarim and Tehillim (after midnight).
  2. Shacharit is lengthier than usual.
  3. We beat the Hoshanot during Shacharit (or later in the day).
  4. We eat a meal in the Sukkah.
  5. Do not forget to make an Eiruv Tavshillin.
  6. Prepare a 48 hour candle.
  7. Light candles at (or after) 6:23
  8. Include the bracha of She’hechiyanu when lighting candles.

Shmini Atzeret

  1. Chassidic custom is to do Hakafot on Shmini Atzeret night.
  2. Chabad custom is to eat in the Sukkah on Shmini Atzeret but without reciting a bracha.
  3. Recite Yizkor after Shacharit.
  4. Tefilat Geshem is recited in Mussaf and we begin to say Mashiv HaRu’ach Umorid HaGeshem.
  5. Men should be mavir sedra for Parshat vezot haberacha on this afternoon.
  6. Visit the Sukka for one last time in the afternoon.
  7. Light candles after: 7:23 p.m.
  8. Include the bracha of She’hechiyanu when lighting candles.

Simchat Torah

  1. We do Hakafot on Simchat Torah evening and daytime.
  2. Birkat Kohanim is recited in Shacharit.
  3. We complete reading the Torah on this day.
  4. Men should be mavir sedra for Parshat Bereishit on this afternoon.
  5. In addition, it is proper to complete learning Parshat vezot haberacha and Parshat Bereishit up until shishi with Rashi on this day (chitas).
  6. Cook in such a way that all of the food is ready before sundown ( 6:48 p.m.)
  7. Light candles at: 6:30

Shabbat Bereishit

This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim. One should observe all of the customs associated with Shabbat Mevorchim on this day.

Laws and Customs of Hoshana Rabba – Shabbat Bereishit

Hoshana Rabba, Tuesday Night and Wednesday,

21 Tishrei , Oct. 18 and 19
     The last day of Sukkot, which is called Hoshana Rabba, is the day on which the judgment of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur for the coming year is considered final. We are also judged for water (the basis of our entire food chain) on Sukkot. [1] Since Hoshana Rabba is the last day of Sukkot, this judgment finishes on this day.[2] In addition, the Zohar says that “On the seventh day of Sukkot the judgment of the world is finalized and the edicts are sent forth from the King.”[3]

This final judgment is reflected in the Torah study, extensive prayers and Hoshanot which we say on this day.

What’s in the name?

The name “Hoshana Rabbah” is given to this day because of the additional aravot that were waved in the Bait HaMikdash (and which we still wave) on this day. (The aravot are referred to as hoshanot because we pray “Hoshana” (save us) with the aravot.)

Torah Study

·         On the night of Hoshana Rabba, it is customary to stay up all night and study Torah.[4] The widespread custom is to read the entire book of Devarim (from a Chumash)[5] as well as the entire Book of Tehillim. It is preferable to read the Tehillim after midnight (1:05 a.m.) or at least after the moon rises.[6] (The moon rises in Miami at 11:49 p.m. on the night of Hoshana Rabba.)

·         The Chabad custom is to say Tehillim while wearing a gartel and to recite it quickly.[7]

·         There is a special prayer (Yehi Ratzon) for Hoshana Rabba that should be recited after each sefer (section) of Tehillim.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe mentioned that there was an ancient custom for the Gabboim (shul attendants) to give out apples in Shul on this night during the saying of Tehillim.[8] One should eat them in the Sukkah (after finishing Tehillim) and dip them in honey before doing so.

It is proper for men to immerse in the Mikvah before dawn.[9] Some say that it is preferable to immerse before nightfall in order to study in a state of purity.[10]

It is best for couples to refrain from relations on this night. If it is the Mikvah night, it is permissible.[11]

Preparing the Hoshanot

  • The Hoshanot are five[12] willow branches (aravot) which are used during the prayers of Hoshana Rabba (see below).
  • Although one can technically fulfill one’s obligation with willow branches that have only one leaf on them, it is customary to take branches that are complete with leaves and are nice looking.[13]
  • The branches should be at least 3 tefachim (10 inches) long.[14]
  • Some have the custom to personally prepare aravot for all of their family members, even very young children.[15]
  • It is best to tie the branches together with a lulav leaf.[16] If one’s aravot are tied with a rubber band, it is best to not hold them in the place of that band.[17]

Hoshana Rabba Day

  • It is proper to wear Shabbat clothes on this day.[18]
  • It is customary to come to Shul early on this day.[19]

Shacharit

  • In some communities, the chazzan wears a kittel on this day.[20]
  • Some have the custom of praying the Pesukei DeZimarah (and saying the Kedusha of Musaf) of Shabbat and Yom Tov on this day.[21] This is not the Chabad custom.[22]
  • Before Hallel[23] one should remove the two upper rings binding the lulav, leaving only the three bottom rings.[24]
    • The reason for this is to increase in joy with the extra spreading of the lulav branches.[25]
    • In addition, the increased “lulav wave” aids in the prayers to stop bad winds and dew.[26]
  • It is customary to take out all of the Sifrei Torah from the Aron Kodesh (holy ark) and have people hold them at the Bimah (table for the Torah reading) during Hoshanot. All the Hoshanot are then recited while the congregation and Chazzan circle the Bimah seven times (Siddur pg. 368).
  • This is similar to the procedure that was done in the Bait HaMikdash on this day.[27]
    • The number of circles around the Bimah corresponds to the number of circles the Jews walked around Jericho when conquering it.
  • At the conclusion of the Hoshanot, the Sifrei Torah should be returned to the Aron Kodesh, and the Chazzan should recite Kaddish. One should then take the five Aravot  and hit them on the ground five times. One should then recite the paragraph beginning Yehi Ratzon (pg. 382).
  • One who did not klap (bang) Hoshanot in the morning may do so later on in the day.
  • According to the Arizal, one should not hold the aravot together with the lulav and etrog at all.[28]

What to do with the Aravot, Lulav and Etrog?[29]

  • Some have the custom to throw the aravot on top of the Aron Kodesh. Some relate this to the leaning of the aravot on the Mizbe’ach (holy altar) in the Bait HaMikdash.[30]
  • The Lubavitcher Rebbe would often put the aravot in his Siddur and take them out of Shul with him.
  • Some save the aravot as well as the lulav for burning together with the Chametz before Pesach.[31]
  • Some say that carrying a leaf of the hoshanot is a segulah (spiritually propitious act) for protection and for having children. (arava is the same gematria as zera (seed).)
  • Some have a custom of using the etrog as besomim (smelling spices) for havdalah. Others cook it and make jam out of it. Eating the jam is considered a segulah for an easy childbirth.
  • By the letter of the law, the aravot,  lulav and etrog can be wrapped in a plastic bag and thrown out.[32]

Hoshana Rabba Afternoon

It is customary to eat a festive meal in the Sukkah during the day of Hoshana Rabbah. No Kiddush is recited. Ashkenazim have a custom to eat kreplach (pockets of dough and meat) at this meal.  After reciting Hamotzi, one should dip the bread into honey. (This is the last meal when we dip our bread into honey, see below). It is not necessary to have lechem mishnah (two loaves of challah) at this meal.

  • One should not eat this meal in the late afternoon so as not to diminish one’s appetite for the nighttime Yom Tov meal.
  • One should light a 48 hour candle before Yom Tov begins so that they will have a pre-existing flame to use for lighting candles on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Eiruv Tavshillin

One should make an Eiruv Tavshillin on this day. Please click here: http://www.yeshivahcollege.org/texts/Rosh%20Hashana%205772.pdf (pages 6 – 8) for more information.

 Shmini Atzeret Night
Wednesday night and Thursday, 22 Tishrei / Sep. 19 and 20

Candle-lighting time is 6:32 p.m. (Miami time). One may late later as well but should use a pre-existing flame (if lighting after sundown).
The candles should be lit in, or visible from, the Sukkah.

  • One who says Yizkor should light a Yizkor candle before Yom Tov begins.
    The following two Brachot should be recited: L’hadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov and Shehechiyanu
  • The Chassidic custom is to do Hakafot (Siddur pg. 383) and dance with the Torah on Shmini Atzeret after mariv. This is not customary in Sefardic or Nusach Ashkenaz Shuls.

In or Out of the Shukkah?

The Talmud and Shulchan Aruch rule says that on Shmini Atzeret one should eat in the Sukkah but not make a bracha when doing so.[33] This is the Chabad custom as well as that of the Vilna Ga’on. Many have the custom of making Kiddush and having some mezonot in the Sukkah and eating the rest of the meal indoors.[34]

This applies outside of Israel where every day of Yom Tov is treated as if it might be the previous day. Nevertheless, we cannot say the bracha of Leishev BaSukkah as this would be an affront to the holiday of Shmini Atzeret.

In Israel, one need not eat in the Sukkah on Shmini Atzeret.

From Shmini Atzeret and on we dip the challah in salt.


Shmini Atzeret Day, Thursday, 22 Tishrei / Oct. 20

Shacharit

Shacharit of Yom Tov is followed by complete Hallel.

  • We do not say LeDavid Hashem Ori Veyishi from Shmini Atzeret and on.
  • After the Torah reading, Yizkor is recited (pg. 337 in the Siddur).
  • Prior to Musaf (Siddur pg. 340), the Gabbai should announce that we begin saying Mashiv Horuach U’morid Hageshem (G-d makes the wind blow and the rain to fall). This is added to the second bracha (blessing) of the amida.
  • In the repetition of the Amidah, the Chazzan should recite the special prayer for rain (tefillat geshem) (Siddur pg. 355).

Mistakes in Praying for Rain[35]

  • If one forgot to say Mashiv Horuach U’morid Hageshem, if one said Morid Hatal (He makes the dew fall), he need not repeat the Amida. If, however, he did not yet say the name of Hashem at the end of the bracha, he may insert Mashiv Horuach U’morid Hageshem in the middle of the bracha any time before the words “Baruch Attah…”
  • One who said neither Mashiv Haru’ach nor Morid Hatal and already completed the blessing must repeat the Amida from the beginning.
  • In this case, if one remembered before beginning the next bracha, he should say it at that point.
  • One who heard the Mashiv Horuach announcement before davening Shacharit (praying the morning service), must say Mashiv Horuach when he davens Shacharit (if he is davening without a minyan).

In the Afternoon

  • On the afternoon of Shmini Atzeret, one should visit the Sukkah for one last time to “take leave” of the Sukkah. Some recite a prayer during this visit (Yehi Ratzon). This is not the Chabad custom.
  • One should not begin the preparations for the second day of Yom Tov before 7:23 p.m.

 Eve of Simchat Torah, Thursday night, 23 Tishrei / Oct. 20
      Candle-lighting time is not before 7:23 p.m.

One may only light from a pre-existing flame.  One should recite the following two brachot: L’hadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov and Shehecheyanu. After Maariv (and Kiddush) we celebrate the completion of the Torah by dancing with the Torah while doing the Hakafot.

Hakafot[36]

One who is an avel (may G-d protect) should not dance at hakafot.

One should not refuse a “Torah honor” given to him as this can be considered disrespectful to the Torah.[37]

As long as the Torahs are being transported (or danced with), all those in the room should stand.[38]

Simchat Torah Day, Friday, 23 Tishrei / Oct. 21

      It is customary to do the blessing of the Kohanim during Shacharit (morning prayers) on Simchat Torah, lest the Kohanim be inebriated by the time they get to Mussaf.

  • After full Hallel, the Atah Horeita (Siddur pg. 383) is recited 3 times, followed by Hakafot (Siddur pg. 385). All seven Hakafot should be recited but the Bimah should only be circled three and a half times.
  • Following Hakafot, all men and boys over Bar Mitzvah should be called to the Torah one by one. A special Aliya is reserved for all of the children (Kol Hane’arim). The Ba’al Koreh should repeat the Torah reading as many times as is necessary for everyone to receive an Aliyah.
  • The Chatan Torah (the one who is honored with the final Aliyah of the Torah) completes the Torah using the first Sefer Torah. The second Sefer Torah is used for the Chatan Bereishit Aliya, (the one who is honored to begin the Torah). The third Torah is used for the Maftir.
  • Following the Torah reading, we recite Sisu V’simchu (Siddur pg. 388) and Daven Musaf.
  • On this afternoon, men should be mavir sedrah (read the chumash and Targum of the Parsha) on Parshat Bereishit.
  • In addition in order to learn Chitas (the weekly Chumash with Rashi) properly, one should learn the end of Parshat Vezot HaBeracha and Parshat Bereishit until Shishi on this afternoon.
  • On this day, one should cook for Shabbat in such a way that the food is ready to eat before Shabbat begins.
  • The Lubavitcher Rebbe instituted that Chassidim should have a farbrengen starting on Yom Tov after Mincha and continuing on into the night. This draws the holiness of the Yom Tov into the rest of the year.

Shabbat Bereishit, 24 Tishrei / Oct. 21 and 22

Candlelighting is at: 6:30 p.m.

The regular bracha for Shabbat candles is recited.

·         As this is the first Shabbat of the year, our actions during this auspicious will impact the entire year. As Chassidim say: Vi mir Shtelen zich avek Shabbos Bereishis, azoi geit di gantz yahr. (The way one sets himself up on Shabbat Bereishit, that’s how his entire year will go.)

·         Kabbalat Shabbat begins with Mizmor LeDavid. Some begin with Mizmor Shir LeYom HaShabbat.

·         All the customs of Shabbat Mevarchim should be observed.

  • In many communities it is customary for the Gabbai to announce: “VeYakov Halach Ledarko” (and Yakov went on his way – end of Parshat Vayetzei) at the end of Simchat Torah and/or Shabbat Bereishit. This indicates the end of the Holiday season and the beginning of one’s serving G-d in their daily life.

Shabbat ends at 7:22 p.m.

Havdala includes Besamim (spices) and candle as usual.

Halachic Times

Miami Beach

Eve of Shemini Atzeret, Wednesday, Oct. 19

Light Candles at: 6:32 pm  

Eve of Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 20

Light Candles after: 7:23 pm

 Shabbat Bereishit, Friday, October 21

Light Candles at: 6:30 pm  

Shabbat, October 22

Shabbat Ends: 7:22 pm  

Brooklyn, New York

Eve of Shemini Atzeret, Wednesday, Oct. 19

Light Candles at: 5:53 pm  

Eve of Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 20

Light Candles after: 6:50 pm

 Shabbat Bereishit, Friday, October 21

Light Candles at: 5:50 pm  

Shabbat, October 22

Shabbat Ends: 6:47 pm  

Los Angeles

Eve of Shemini Atzeret, Wednesday, Oct. 19

Light Candles at: 5:57 pm  

Eve of Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 20

Light Candles after: 6:41 pm

 Shabbat Bereishit, Friday, October 21

Light Candles at: 5:55 pm  

Shabbat, October 22

Shabbat Ends: 6:49 pm  

Jerusalem, Israel

Eve of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, Wednesday, Oct. 19

Light Candles at: 4:24 pm  

Yom Tov ends at: 5:39 pm

(Havdalah does not include spices or a candle)

 Shabbat Bereishit, Friday, October 21

Light Candles at: 4:21 pm  

Shabbat, October 22

Shabbat Ends: 5:37 pm  

Melbourne, Australia

Eve of Shemini Atzeret, Wednesday, Oct. 19

Light Candles at: 7:22 pm  

Eve of Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 20

Light Candles after: 8:22 pm

 Shabbat Bereishit, Friday, October 21

Light Candles at: 8:24 pm  

Shabbat, October 22

Shabbat Ends: 8:24 pm  

 

[1] Rosh HaShana, 16a

[2] Levush, siman 664, 1 See Hagahot of Mohar”a Azoulai that Hoshana Rabbah is 21 days after Rosh HaShanah. 21 x 21 = 441 This is the gematriah of emet אמת (truth).

See also Elya Rabba ibid, 2 who explains that Hoshana Rabba was a day that more (private) sacrifices were brought than any other day of the year. This was because Hoshana Rabba, as the last day of Sukkot, was the final day of the year that one could bring the sacrifices they had promised without transgressing on the prohibition of delaying one’s commitments. (See Rosh HaShana 4a. But see Rambam, Hilchot Ma’aseh Hakorbanot 14, 13.) The Talmud says that rain is withheld for the sin of not fulfilling one’s vows (see Yevamot 78b). When bringing the sacrifices, the Jews would tie the animals with willow branches and say: “Master of the World, we have not withheld our vows to you. So please do not withhold from us. Just as these willows grow on water, so grant us water.”

[3] Vol. 3, pages 31b-32a, “On Hoshana Rabba the idolatrous nations come to the end of their blessings and enter into judgment, and Israel comes to the end of its judgments and enter into blessings. For on the next day (Shemini Atzeret) they rejoice privately with the King and receive from Him blessings for the entire year and obtain any request which they make.”

[4] Mishna Berura, 664, 1

[5] Some read it from a Sefer Torah (Nimukei Orach Chayim 669)

[6] Piskei Teshuvot, 664, 1

[7] Sefer HaMinhagim Chabad

[8] Otzar Minhagei Chabad pg. 333

[9] Rama, O.C. 664, 1

[10] Mishna Berura, ibid, 8

[11] Ibid

[12] Ibid, 16 in the name of the Arizal.

[13] Rama, ibid, 4

[14] O.C. ibid, 4 This is the length that is kosher for waving with the lulav.

[15] Piskei Teshuvot, ibid, 3, see Otzar Minhagei Chabad, page 366

[16] Ibid, 4

[17] Ibid

[18] Ibid, 9

[19] Elyah Rabba, ibid, 3 See there that one should arise early to Shul on the following five holidays:

·         Rosh HaShana

·         Yom Kippur

·         Hoshana Rabba

·         Purim

·         Tisha Be’Av

A mnemonic to remember these days is אברהם

This stands for

·          אב (Tisha Be’av)

·         בּריאת העולם (Rosh HaShana)

·         רבּה (a reference to Yom Kippur which is referred to as the great fast day [rabba means great])

·         הושׁענה רבּה (Hoshana Rabba)

·          מגילה (Purim on which we read the Megillah)

[20] Mishna Berurah, 9

[21] O.C. ibid, 1, and Mishna Berurah, 2

[22] Lu’ach Colel Chabad

[23] Sefer HaMinhagim Chabad

[24] O.C. ibid, 1

[25] Levush

[26] Bach, O.C. ibid

[27] Levush. See Sukkah 45a

[28] Kaf HaChaim on O.C. ibid, 32

[29] See Piskei Teshuvot, ibid 7

[30] Piskei Teshuvot, ibid, 7

[31] Rama, ibid, 9

[32] Rama ibid, 8 and Mishna Berurah 28

[33] Sukkah 57a, O.C. 668, 1

[34] See Piskei Teshuvot ibid, , who explains the reason for this custom.

[35] Shulchan Aruch HaRav, 114

[36] O.C. 669 and Piskei Teshuvot

[37] Ibid

[38] Ibid

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