Hoshana Rabbah

The seventh day of the Jewish pilgrimage festival of Sukkot, the 21st day of the month of Tishrei, is known as Hoshana Rabbah ( Aramaic: הושענא רבה, " Great Hoshana ", also known as " Palm Festival "; " Hoshana " means " So help but "! ).

This day is sanctified by a special synagogue service, the " Hoshana Rabbah ", are performed in the seven tours ( Hakkafot ) with the Lulav. Usually, the Torah scrolls are brought out during this procession from the ark. In a few communities, the shofar is blown after each procession round.

Hoshana Rabbah is the seventh day of Sukkot, and also the last day of the " High Holidays ". According to the Jewish Kabbalah was and it is a day on which " List in the sky " are sent to, perhaps to influence the verdict there, which has already been determined for every Jew for the whole coming year yet. Within this tradition everyone wants the neighbor " A good piece of paper! " Or, as we say in Yiddish, "A goood Kwittel! "

On the morning of Hoshana Rabbah, the prayer leader is just like the New Year and the Day of Atonement before the ark in a white coat. In the synagogue done seven tours with the Torah and the Torah scrolls and with the Lulav and the four species, as a symbol of liberation from evil. After the seven Hakkafot the ritual beating is done with the willow branches: one defines the four types aside and instead takes a group of five willow branches that are tied together in the hand.

After completion of the Kaddish, the willow branches are beaten five times on the floor or on a chair. Then you throw them to a place where no one can step on it. According to the guest list is according to traditional Jewish understanding King David on the day of Hoshana Rabbah as a guest. For this reason, verses are read in the evening of Hoshana Rabba, associated with King David.