Ushpizin Chart for print and download

Ushpizin:[1]

The Zohar[2] states that during Sukkos we merit to have the seven shepherds of Israel as guests in our Sukkah, upon dwelling within it. One is required to rejoice each day with the Ushpizin of that day.

The order: The seven Ushpizin are: Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Aaron, Yosef, David.[3] Some, however, place Yosef before Moshe.[4] The Chabad custom follows the former approach, that Yosef comes before Dovid.[5] All seven guests come each of the seven days of Sukkos to visit each Jew in his Sukkah, however, each day there is a different leader who sits at the head.[6]

The Yehi Ratzon prayer: Some[7] write that one must verbally invite the Ushpizin in order to bring them into one’s Sukkah. Some are accustomed to reciting a special prayer of Yehi Ratzon for the Ushpizin of that day. Practically, it is not the Chabad custom to say the Yehi Ratzon for the Ushpizin, however one should mention a Devar Torah involving the guest of that night.[8]

Candles:[9] Some are accustomed to light seven candles in the Sukkah each night in commemoration of the Ushpizin.

Guests: The Ushpizin only come to a Sukkah if one host’s paupers as guests.[10] However, one should not invite a gentile into the Sukkah as this causes the holiness to leave and makes the seven Holy Ushpizin become very agitated with the host.[11] Therefore, one should have a gentile maid clean the Sukkah inside.

Respecting the Ushpizin: One should diminish the amount of mundane non-Torah conversations that take place during Sukkos, and rather increase in words of Torah and holiness throughout the time that he’s in the Sukkah.[12] This especially applies in light of the fact that according to the Zohar we host the special guests known as the Ushpizin within the Sukkah, and one who acts in an unbefitting way disturbs their peace and causes them anger.[13]

The Chassidic Ushpizin:[14] There is a tradition amongst the Chabad Rabbeim that in addition to the classical seven Ushpizin of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov etc, one each night the Chassidic Rabbeim also come to visit, starting with the Baal Shem Tov until the Rebbe Rashab.

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[1] See Kaf Hachaim 639:8-10; Piskeiy Teshuvos 643:1; Nitei Gavriel 37; Otzer p. 298

[2] Zohar Emor p. 103

[3] Seder of Arizal; Talmidei Habaal Shem Tov; See Nitei Gavriel 37:2

[4] Seder of Ashkenazim and Siddur Shlah

[5] See for example Toras Menachem 5742 1:202 for a Sicha on the 6^th night of Sukkos discussing the connection between Yosef Hatzadik and the Rebbe Maharash, the Ushpizin of that day

[6] Nitei Gavriel 37:2

[7] See Shlah Miseches Sukkah; Yesod Veshoresh Havoda 11:13

[8] See Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 298; Alef Lamateh in Mateh Efraim 625:109; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[9] Or Tzadikim 3, brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 625; Kaf Hachaim 639:9

[10] See Shelah ibid; Zoher ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[11] Shach Parshas Emor; Beis Dovid 444; Kaf Hachaim 639:6; Midrash Pinchas; Divreiy Yatziv 2:274; Piskeiy Teshuvos 639:3

[12] Shelah Ner Mitzvah 8; Kitzur Shelah Miseches Sukkah; M”B 639:2; Kaf Hachaim 639:6

[13] Shach Al Hatorah Parshas Emor; Beis David 444; Kaf Hachaim 639:6

[14] See Igros Kodesh Rayatz 3:443; Sefer Hasichos 5697:161; Likkutei Sichos 3:835; Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 298