The Great Hoshanah

The Great Hoshanah

The holiday of joy, Zman Simchateinu, Sukkot comes to a grand conclusion with the very special day of Hoshanah Rabbah. This day is traditionally seen as the final day of the High Holiday season. Our sages instituted many special prayers on this day as it is the "closing of the gates of heaven", a time when our destiny is sealed for the coming year. For this reason we say special prayers for rain and sustenance

One of the most ancient customs of the Jewish people is the Chavitat Ha'aravah-the banging of the willow branch on Hoshanah Rabbah. This custom goes back to the time of the early prophets some 3000 plus years ago and is brought down in the Talmud (Tractate Sukka 44b) which states that the custom was to CHAVIT the willow branches. Rashi (France 1040-1105) explains that CHAVIT means to wave them, as we wave the lulav. The Rambam (Spain 1138-1204) and many other commentaries explain that it means to beat them, and this is in fact the accepted custom.

What is the significance of this strange custom?

Some explain that is is a silent prayer for rain, similar to the raindrops beating on the ground. Others explain that it is a symbol of repentance. Just as we bang our chests on Yom Kippur during the Al Chet prayer, so too, we bang the Aravah on the floor. According to Kabbalistic sources, there are five elements of Gevurah-judgement. By banging the Aravah, we sweeten the Din (Hamtakat Hadinim) and transform the Gevurah (judgement) into Chessed (kindness and blessing).

The word Hoshanah however can also mean "To Help". As an educator, I interact with children daily. Children have the ability to bring smiles to our faces, even when we are having a rough day. When we teach our children from a young age the values of Judaism and doing Chesed (kindness) we are instilling in them the ability to sweeten another's day. We are empowering them to bring a smile to another in their time of need or give them a much needed boost. Let's teach our children to be a great Hoshanah to all. Chag Sameach!