Hoshanot - "Hoshanot" is the plural form of "Hoshanah", meaning "please save (us)" in Hebrew, and refers to a ceremony in Temple times, which according to the Mishnah of the Talmud, was originally known as the "Aravah" ("willow" in Hebrew) ceremony, in which worshippers gathered willow branches from the town of Motsa near Jerusalem and then piled the willow branches upright on the sides of the alter in the Temple in Jerusalem, with the tops of the willow branches reaching over the top of the alter while on the first six days of Sukkot, worshippers made a hakkafah ("circle" or "circling" in Hebrew), that is, they circled and paraded around the alter while reciting Psalm 117:25 - Ana HaShem, hoshia nah...", meaning "We beseech you, O L-rd, save us...", - which was then followed by special Hoshanot prayers. The shofar or ram's horn was sounded, and musical instruments were played, except on Shabbat, or the Sabbath. On the seventh day of Sukkot, known as Hoshanah Rabbah, worshippers made seven hakkafot (plural form of "hakkafah") or circles around the Temple alter. The Mishnah states that the Aravah ceremony took place in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem and that at the end of the seventh day of Sukkot, known as "Hoshanah Rabbah", "the children threw away their lulavim ("willow branches" in Hebrew) and ate their etrogim ("citrons" in Hebrew)". Today, in the synagogue, on the first six days of Sukkot, as previously mentioned, the worshippers also make a hakkafah and circle and parade around the inside of the sanctuary of the synagogue carrying and waving their lulavim and etrogim while chanting the same verse, Psalm 117:25, and then the special Hoshanot prayers, with a different Hoshanah prayer being recited for each of the seven days of Sukkot (one Hoshanah prayer for the first day of Sukkot, two for the second day, and so on). As also mentioned, on the seventh day of Sukkot, known as Hoshanah Rabbah, the congregants make seven hakkafot around the inside of the sanctuary of the synagogue with their lulavim and etrogim, reciting Psalm 117:25 and then reciting the special Hoshanot prayers. What was/is the purpose of the Aravah/Hoshanot ceremony? In Israel during biblical times, it was especially important to petition G-d to bring rainfall in the autumn season so that the Hebrews/Jews would be able to grow crops as part of their sustenance. Today, in the synagogue and during the synagogue services, to demonstrate their seriousness and sincerity to G-d regarding the bringing of rainfall to the land in Israel in the autumn season, the Ark which contains the Torah scrolls is opened and a Torah is removed from the Ark. The making of hakkafot or circles around the inside of the sanctuary of the synagogue is a further attempt to gain divine favor for the bringing of rainfall.
Customs of Sukkot
The Four Species
Hoshanot
Simchat Beith HaShoeivah
Ushpizin
Ushpiziyot
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