Last Days Sukkos 5783
ב"ה
HALACHIC DIGEST -
הושענא רבה, שמיני עצרת, שמחת תורה
תשפ"ד
Compiled by Rabbi Yoseph Vigler
Edited by Rabbi Mendel Zirkind & Rabbi Sholom Zirkind
לעילוי נשמת הרב יצחק ז"ל בן הרב אליעזר צבי זאב צירקינד
Hoshana Rabba Evening
Hoshana Rabba is considered a special Yom Tov. On Succos is the judgment on water, the source of human life. On Hoshana Rabba that judgment is completed. It is also the final sealing of the judgment of every person for a good sweet year. This is the reason for the numerous minhagim in this 24 hour period.
The minhag is to remain awake the entire night learning Torah.
The minhag is for men to go through Mishneh Torah (Chumash Devorim) before Chatzos (midnight). Some read from a Sefer Torah, others from a Chumash. Some also say parts of the Zohar as printed in the Tikun.
Some immerse in the Mikvah before learning.
There are various minhogim when to be maavir sedra of Vezos haBracha (shnayim mikra ve’echad targum): Hoshana Rabba by night (as part of the Tikkun); Hoshana rabba by day; Shmini Atseres or Simchas Torah
We say the entire Tehillimpreferablyafter chatzos, 12:44am (in NYC) - the time of G-d’s compassion.
We say three “יהי רצון”s after each Sefer Tehillim - (a) the יהי רצון that is said after each Sefer, (some say the one for the weekday, others say the one for Shabbos and Yom Tov) (b) a special "יהי רצון" for Hoshana Rabba, (c) the "יהי רצון" when saying Tehillim at night .
In some shuls the Gabbai gives out sweet apples that are eaten dipped in honey on Hoshana Rabba night, to seal our judgment for a sweet year.
Some wish each other “A gut kvitel” or “gmar chassima tova”.
If you were awake all night without sleeping even half an hour, wash Neggel vasser after Alos hashachar, and say Brachos of the morning. Do not bentch “Al Netilas Yadaim”. The brochos of “Elokai Neshomo” and “Hamaavir Sheina”, are best to hear from one who slept. Otherwise say it quietly.
Obviously if you are going to miss Zman Kerias Shema in the morning, then it is not worth staying awake all night. Plan ahead.
The earliest time for Shema is dawn (5:32am in NYC), Mid’Oraisa. The Rabbis delayed the earliest time until daylight is strong enough to recognize an acquaintance at a distance of four amos (משיכיר) - ie 6:08am in NYC. In extenuating circumstances, the Shema can therefore be recited from its Biblically allotted time starting at dawn. But it is proper to wait till משיכיר
The latest time for Shema is at the end of the third halachic hour of the day, 9:48am ( /9:14am - Magen Avraham)
Hallel and Hoshanos
We rise early for Davening.
Some add in davening some Mizmorim said on Yom Tov , and use the Yom Tov (or Yamim Noraim) melody.
Some have the Minhag that the chazzan wears a Kittel. Others wear Yom Tov clothing.
Remove the top rings of the Lulav (but not the rings on the bottom binding the lulav with the Hadasim and Aravos), enabling the Lulav to be shaken better - because extra shaking enhances the Simcha. Someremove the rings before bentching on the Lulav; some do so before Hallel; others do so before Hoshanos.
The rest of Succos we only circle the Bima once during Hoshanos. On Hoshana Rabba we circle seven times (during the seven Hashanos) just like they circled the Mizbeach in the Beis Hamikdash seven times. There are extra pesukim and Tefilos added, each according to their custom.
The minhag is to take at all the Sifrei Torah and have them held around the Bimah.
If someone doesn’t have a Lulav he can hold a Sefer Torah. Or place the Seforim down on the Bima.
The Arizal warns against holding the 5 aravos together with the Lulav at the same time.
Customs vary when to strike the five Aravos: before Kaddish; after Kaddish; or earlier saying the Piyut “תענה אמונים” which mentions water, and the arava grows on water.
The mekubalim explain that striking Aravos sweetens the judgment for us to have a good year . Prepare Hoshanos for every member of the household, women too - and newborns. The parent strikes them on the ground on behalf of the infant. (Some go even further and add a set for a pregnant woman).
מעיקר הדין, one Arava is sufficient. It's best to use at least 3. The Arizal says to use 5 Aravos. (Some use 7).
The five aravos should be tied together with a leaf of a lulav. Others tie them with an Arava twig.
The requirements for the Aravos of the Lulav, apply to the Aravos of Hoshana Rabbah, except that Hoshanos are kosher even if only one leaf remains. Still, for hiddur mitzvahan abundance of leaves is preferable.
Some shake the Aravos before striking them, but most people don't.
The Aravos should be struck directly on the ground or floor.
You do not necessarily need any leaves to fall off from the striking. Some do try strike till leaves fall off
One could bedieved use a pre-used Arava.
The custom is to strike them 5 times on the ground
Some leave the aravos in Shul, (on top of the Aron kodesh to replicate the act in the beis hamikdash); others save them for another mitzvah and burn them in the oven of matzos for Pesach, or with the Chometz. There are various minhagim and segulos as to what to do with the Hoshanos after their use
Do not discard the Aravos in the garbage, or leave them on the floor where they will be stepped on .
We are extra careful not to do any business dealings until after davening, even what is normally permitted on Chol hamo’ed. Some don't carry their wallet (besides money for Tzedaka), until after they leave Shul.
Customs vary when we stop saying לדוד ה’ אורי: after Mincha of either: Hoshana Rabba; Shemini Atzeres; or Simchas Torah.
The lulav, hadassim and aravos are muktzeh on Yom Tov, now that their mitzvah is over. The esrog is not muktzeh because it may be smelled on Yom Tov.
Seudah
We eat a Seudas Yom Tov on Hoshana Rabba preferably before chatzos (12:44pm in NYC), and definitely try before 3:47pm (NYC) (the beginning of the 10th hour, half hour before Mincha ketana).
We eat kreplach to symbolize the Arava striking which is to reveal the good of Hashem’s judgment.
We dip the Hamotzi in honey; some also dip in salt.
Drink a cup of wine during the day in honor of Yom Tov (the same goes for all of Chol Hamo’ed).
Candle lighting
Before lighting candles, a double amount of Tzedaka is given, for two days of Yom Tov.
Candles are lit before sunset (or 18 minutes prior) as on every Erev Shabbos. (Remember it’s Shabbos).
Two brachos are said when lighting candles: להדליק נר של שבת ושל יום טוב and שהחיינו. A woman who is making her own Kiddush, should not repeat שהחיינו again in Kiddush.
Remember to leave a fire to be able to light candles on the second night of Yom Tov – gas or 24-hour candle.
You cannot pre plan to have a Goy turn on a fire for you on Yom Tov (except from a pre existing flame). But if your candle went out on Yom Tov and you cannot obtain a light from a neighbor, then you may request a Goy to turn on a light for you on Yom Tov.
Shmini Atseres & Simchas Torah - “Treasure these 48 hours for each moment you can collect buckets and barrels B’Gashmius & B’Ruchnius - through dancing.” - The Rebbe Rasha”b
Davening and Kiddush
Kabbolas Shabbos begins from Mizmor LeDovid
Sholom Aleichem and AIshes Chayil are recited softly.
Kiddush begins with Yom Hashishi and continues into the Yom Tov Kiddush with Shabbos additions.
We add Shabbos additions
In davening and Kiddush we no longer mention Chag HaSuccos Hazeh; we mention Shmini Atseres instead.
If you mistakenly mentioned Chag HaSuccos
If you realized before completing Shmone Esreh or the brocho, go back to Atah V’chartnu.
If you finished the brocho already, there are numerous opinions. Since safek brachos lehakel, you would not repeat the Shmone Esrei or kiddush. The best option, where possible, are:
For Kiddush, listen to someone else and be yotzeh.
For Shmone Esreh, listen closely to the entire chazoras hashatz and be yotzeh fom him.
(Note - You can only be yotzeh Shmone Esreh from the Shliach Tzibbur, so this would not work in Maariv i.e. you cannot hear a private Mispallel daven out loud and be motzi you)
The above applies if you mistakenly mentioned Succos on Shmini Atseres. However, if one forgot on Simchas Torah, then all agree, Shmoneh Esrei must be repeated (Because Simchas Torah definitely has no connection at all to Succos, unlike Shmini Atseres that has a partial connection).
Some do Hakafos before עלינו the night of Shmini Atseres. Minhag Ashkenaz does hakafos on Simchas Torah only.
Succah
It is better to make Kiddush and eat after nightfall, so there is no question of bentching leishev basuccah. but if you did make Kiddush earlier you don’t bentch leishev basuccah.
Minhagim vary if to sit in the Succah on Shmini Atseres. But do not bentch leishev basuccah nor say Harachman…Succas Dovid….
We bentch Shehecheyonu.
Shachris, Mussaf & Geshem
Those who lain Koheles read it on Shmini Atseres this year since there was no Shabbos Chol Hamo’ed
By Musaf we begin saying “משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם”.
Even if davening Mussaf ahead, do not start saying משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם until the Gabbai announces it
If davening without a minyan, estimate when the Shul davens Musaf, and then daven with משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם.
If you started Davening after the Chazan’s announcement, say משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם even if you’re behind and still davening Shacharis (unless you’re davening Shacharis with another Minyan) .
If you accidentally said "מוריד הטל" ,
If you remembered before you said Baruch Atah Hashem, say it there (at the end of a phrase) . If you remembered after ונאמן אתה להחיות מתים before Baruch Atah Hashem, say משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם there, and then say again ונאמן אתה להחיות מתים.
If you remembered only after you said Hashem’s Name in the bracha, you do not have to go back.
According to the Shulchan Aruch Harav, even if you remembered before you said Hashem’s name, you don’t have to say it there.
Nusach Ashkenaz does not say the words “Morid hatal” during the summer months. Therefore, in Nusach Ashkenaz, if you forgot to say משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם"”(i.e. you did not say Morid HaTal either, as you are accustomed to do during the Summer months)
If you remembered before saying Hashem’s name in the bracha, you say it there (as explained above)
If you remembered after saying Hashem’s name but before you finished the Beracha, some say you should end למדני חוקיך, and then go back to משיב הרוח. Others hold that you finish the Beracha, and then say משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם.
If you remembered right before you started “Atah Kadosh” you say it there
If you remembered only after you started “Atah Kadosh” you would be required to repeat Shmone Esreh. (The same applies if you are in doubt if they said it or not during the first 30 days).
Some have the custom that the chazan for Mussaf wears a Kittel.
It is a good idea to arrange that children be in Shul for Birchas Kohanim towards the end of Musaf (eruv permitting) because being there is being an active participant in doing the mitzvah.
Yizkor is said before Musaf.
Usually on a day when we omit tachnun we omit Av Harachamim. But on a day when individuals recite Yizkor for their loved ones, Av harachamim may be recited by the public in the merit of all departed Jewish souls from the community at large, if they wish to say it
Those who cannot come to Shul for Yizkor can say it at home
During the Day
No preparations may be made on Shabbos, the first day of Yom Tov for the second day until nightfall, tzeis.
Licht bentchen is after tzeis.
Before the day is over we go into the Succah (for those who eat in the Succah) to eat something in order to bid the Succah farewell.
Ma’ariv Simchas Torah and Candle lighting
Before lighting Yom Tov candles or before performing any other melachah that is permissible on Yom Tov but not on Shabbos, say Vatodi’einu in Maariv. Or at the very least, recite Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’kodesh.
Only after nightfall (tzeis) and reciting Vatodi’einu or Baruch hamavdil, may preparations for the second day begin.
If you forgot ותודיענו
If you realized before reaching Hashem’s name at the conclusion of the bracha, return to ותודיענו, and then continue from there through ותתן לנו even if you already recited those sections.
If you already recited Hashem’s name at the conclusion of the bracha, you may not return, but conclude the Amidah as usual.
Light candles from a flame that was lit before Shabbos. If you did not light, it is permissible to ask a Goy to light for you and light from that candle.
Candles should be lit after it is dark, and close to the time of the meal, and fire taken from a pre-existing flame. Two brachos are said: להדליק נר של יום טוב and שהחיינו
Those that are not eating at home do not forget to light candles.
We make havdala and Kiddush together, known as יקנה”ז. We do not make a bracha on besamim. We do not look at the fingernails by the candle, we merely look at the Yom Tov candles.
Before Aleinu ( after nightfall) we break for Kiddush and Hakafos.
It is a big Zchus to dance with all one’s might and to be filled with simcha, (as the Mishnah Brura quotes that the Vilna Goan would dance in front of the Sifrei Torah with all his Koyach).
Make sure all the women light candles before Kiddush.
If one missed lighting Yom Tov candles:
If she remembered any time at night light then with a bracha. Be sure to get benefit from the lights .
If she remembered only the next day, it is too late. Because a candle does not light up by day, therefore you may not light it on Yom Tov as it is unnecessary light.
There are varying opinionsas to whether, if she missed lighting on Yom Tov, chachamim instituted to light an extra candle (more than what she usually lights) for the rest of her life. Ask a Shailah.
Seudah
In Birchas Hamazon we add: יעלה ויבוא and Harachaman for Yom Tov.
If one forgot יעלה ויבוא and already began the next Bracha, return to the beginning of Birchas Hamazon. (If one remembered right before starting the next beracha, there is a short Beracha recited, as printed in the Siddur).
Simchas Torah — 23 Tishrei
Remember Birchas Kohanim is in Shacharis today, not in Mussaf.
After Shacharis we do Hakafos and then Kriah (including Chosson Torah and Chosson Bereishis) and Musaf. And maintain the Simcha mode throughout the year!
There is a minhag to make Kiddush before Hakafos. One needs to make Kiddush and have mokom Seudah but try to minimize the amount of eating and drinking for one still needs to hear Kriah and daven Mussaf.
Today everyone gets an aliyah, even children if they know how to read the bracha.
More than one person may be called up together to any aliya on Simchas Torah.
A group of Kohanim or Leviyim, for example, may receive an aliya together.
Preferably (but not necessarily) only one person should make a bracha on behalf of all and they are yotze getting the Aliya by answering Amen
We read the Torah again and again as needed.
We make a special Aliya for all children under the age of six, or those who did not receive an aliya, called “Kol Hane’arim”. We spread a Tallis over the children and some say afterwards המלאך הגואל.
Chosson Torah and Chosson Bereishis
It’s a special mitzvah to purchase Chosson Torah & Chosson Bereishis over other kibudim - for a lot of money
The Chosson Torah and Chosson Bereishis do not need another aliya. But if they did get another aliya earlier, they may still be called up for the Chosson
One person should not be both Chosson Torah and Chosson Bereishis, since there is no other aliya between them.
A Cohen or Levi may be called as Chosson Torah or Chosson Bereishis
Multiple people may receive together the Aliya of Chosson Torah or Chosson Bereishis
Motzei Yom Tov
Ata chonantanu
Havdala with no candle nor besamim
After Succos
The S’chach, like the Arba Minim, may not be disposed of in regular garbage but rather be burned or disposed of in another respectful way. Often, there is a special pick up arranged with the sanitation department for S'chach. If you must put them in regular garbage, bag them separately in a non-see-through bag and dispose. Some gather the Lulavim in shul and burn them when baking Matzos, or with the burning of the chametz while the Esrogim are made into jam after Yom Tov.
Shabbos Bereishis - Mevorchim
This Shabbos is special in that “the way we act on this Shabbos has its influence on the rest of the year”
משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם (If you forgot you don’t go back. See above for Nusach Ashkenaz)
Motzei Shabbos Bereishis
By Ma’ariv we once again say אתה חוננתנו and ויהי נועם
We do not begin Vesein tal umatar livrocho till Maariv of Tuesday night December 5 in Chutz la’aretz (or 7 Cheshvan in Eretz Yisroel). Continue with Vesein brocho.
ויעקב הלך לדרכו
Yaakov sets out on his journey to bring the inspiration of Tishrei into the rest of the year! Bon Voyage!
ב"ה