Introduction
Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh day of Sukkos, is known as the final day of judgment and sealing for the blessings of the coming year, particularly regarding sustenance and rain. While the day contains many beautiful customs and profound spiritual themes, most people benefit from a concise practical guide that focuses on what actually needs to be done.
This guide highlights the most important customs, halachos, and Chabad practices of Hoshana Rabbah in an easy-to-follow format. For the full sources, discussions, and detailed rulings, visit ShulchanAruchHarav.com.
- The Significance of Hoshana Rabbah
- Hoshana Rabbah is considered the final stage of the judgment process that began on Rosh Hashanah and continued through Yom Kippur.
- During Sukkos we are judged regarding water [i.e. rain]. On Hoshana Raba, the judgment of the water is sealed. This is of significant importance to human life as human life is dependent on water.
- The Hoshana Rabbah greetings: Some are accustomed to greeting each other with Gut Yom Tov on Hoshana Rabbah. Likewise, on Hoshana Rabbah, some are accustomed to greeting each other with the blessing of Piska Tava, or a Gutten Kevittle. The Chabad custom, however, is not to do so.
- The omen of the moon on the night of Hoshanah Raba: The Rishonim record that on the night of Hoshanah Raba there is an omen in the shadow of the moon regarding all that will occur to oneself, or to one’s relatives, during that year. Some write that one is not to pay any attention to this matter in order not to worsen one’s Mazal. Likewise, many do not understand the matter properly and it is hence better to act with simple faith and not look into the future.
- Stay Awake and Recite the Tikkun
A widespread Jewish custom is to remain awake on the night of Hoshana Rabbah.
Chabad Custom
The Tikkun includes:
✅ Reading Sefer Devarim before midnight
✅ Reading the entire Tehillim after midnight with a Minyan while wearing a Gartel.
✅ Studying the passages designated in the Tikkun
Apple dipped in honey:
After the conclusion of Tehilim it is customary for the Gabbai to distribute apples which are to be dipped in honey and subsequently eaten in the Sukkah. This custom is applicable as well for Shuls which don’t have a Sukkah as each one can eat the apple in his Sukkah at home. Before eating the apple, one should wash his hands in the same way one washes for bread. This applies to any food dipped in one of the 7 liquids.
Immersing in a Mikveh:
Those who are meticulous immerse in a Mikveh before dawn. This was the custom of the Rebbe Rashab and was also followed by the Chasidim. However, many are not careful in this.
Marital relations:
Some Poskim rule that marital relations are to be avoided on the night of Hoshana Raba [just as it is avoided on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah] unless it is the night of Mikveh, or one has a very strong urge.
- Increase in Light
- Many communities increase the number of candles on Hoshana Rabbah.
- Avoid Blood Tests and Blood Donation
- Because Hoshana Rabbah is a day of judgment, the custom is to avoid bloodletting and unnecessary blood work.
Practical Applications
Avoid scheduling:
❌ Blood donation
❌ Routine blood tests
❌ Non-urgent medical procedures involving blood
Exception
Necessary medical treatment should never be delayed.
- Prepare the Hoshanos (Aravos)
- The Mitzvah: On Hoshana Raba, an Aravah is taken in addition to the Aravos that are bound with the Lulav. It is taken in commemoration of the Hakafos that were performed with the Aravos in the Temple, in which the Mizbeiach was encircled with the Arava branch. These Aravos are also referred to as Hoshanos.
Chabad Practice
✅ Use a separate bundle from that of the Lulav
✅ Take Five Aravos per person
✅ Bound together using a Lulav leaf
✅ Obtain a set for every family member
Check the Kashrus of the Aravos
Before Use verify that the Hoshanos:
✅ Are at least 24 cm long
✅ Have fresh leaves and at the very least has one leaf remaining
✅ Are not dried out
✅ Have not been improperly cut
- Remove the Upper Lulav Rings
Chabad Custom
Before Hallel, remove the two upper rings from the Lulav.
Why?
This allows for enhanced shaking and added joy on the final day of the mitzvah.
- Shake the Lulav with Extra Joy
Hoshana Rabbah is the final day of the mitzvah of Lulav.
- The Seven Hoshanos
During Shacharis:
✅ All Sifrei Torah are brought out
✅ Seven circuits are made around the Bimah
✅ Extra prayers for rain and blessing are recited
Chabad Practice
The Hoshanos are recited while holding only the Four Species, not the additional Aravos.
- The Aravah Ceremony
After Hoshanos and Kaddish:
Chabad Custom
✅ Take five Aravos
✅ Hit them on the ground
✅ Five times
✅ No blessing is recited
✅ No prior shaking
This symbolizes the sweetening of the five Gevuros.
- Increase in Tzedakah
The Rebbe emphasized increased giving on Hoshana Rabbah.
Practical Suggestion
Give extra charity:
- Before Shacharis
- After Davening
- Online if necessary
Even a small increase is significant.
- Avoid Mundane Activities Before Davening
Many communities refrain from business-related activities before Shacharis.
Practical Reminder
Delay:
❌ Shopping
❌ Business calls
❌ Financial dealings
until after davening.
- Shnayim Mikra:
In Eretz Yisrael, one reads Shnayim Mikra Viechad Targum on Hoshanah Raba.
- Enjoy the Hoshana Rabbah Meal
It is customary to have a festive meal.
Traditional Customs
✅ Dip bread in honey
✅ Eat Kreplach
✅ Celebrate the holiness of the day
- Meal limitations:
On Erev Yom Tov one is to refrain from beginning a meal [of bread] past the 10th hour of the day, which is three Zmaniyos/fluctuating hours before sunset. Snacks may be eaten throughout the day, even past the 10th hour. If one transgressed or forgot and did not eat prior to the 10th hour, then he may eat a meal past the 10th hour.
- Bid Farewell to the Sukkah
Chabad Custom in Eretz Yisrael
Before Shemini Atzeres:
✅ Enter the Sukkah one final time
✅ Eat or drink something there
✅ Take leave of the mitzvah with appreciation
Ledavid:
- The psalm of Ledavid is recited daily until Hoshana Rabbah, including Hoshana Rabah. [It is omitted starting from Shemini Atzeres.]
Quick Hoshana Rabbah Table
| Topic | Practical Action |
| Tikkun Night | Read Devarim, Tehillim, stay awake if possible |
| Candles | Add extra light |
| Blood Work | Avoid non-urgent testing |
| Hoshanos | Obtain separate bundle of 5 Aravos |
| Family Members | Ideally prepare a set for each member |
| Lulav Rings | Remove upper rings before Hallel (Chabad) |
| Hallel | Shake Lulav with extra joy |
| Hoshanos | Circle Bimah seven times |
| Aravah Ceremony | Hit Aravos on floor five times |
| Charity | Increase Tzedakah |
| Business | Avoid before davening |
| Meal | Festive meal with honey and Kreplach |
| Shemini Atzeres | Prepare candles and Kiddush |
| Sukkah | Visit one final time before Yom Tov |
For the complete halachic discussion, sources, Chabad customs, footnotes, and in-depth analysis, visit ShulchanAruchHarav.com.