HALACHA OF THE WEEK:HOSHANA RABBAH AND THE ARAVOT In the days of the Beit HaMikdash, in addition to the mitzvot of the lulav & etrog, sukkah and simchat haChag, on Sukkot there was also a mitzvah of aravah [willow]. Each day long willow branches (11 amot in length – about 16.5 feet) were gathered from Motza, and brought to the Temple. There, they were placed around the altar, a shofar was sounded and the Kohanim (or according to the Or Zarua 2:315, even non-Kohanim) would march around the mizbeach reciting "ana Hashem hoshia na, ana Hashem hatzlicha na." [Sukkah 45a].
On the seventh day of Sukkot, the procession around the mizbeach became more elaborate, as it was encircled it seven times and additional prayers were recited [Sukkah, ibid.]. One additional ritual observed on that day was "chibbut arava," which according to most authorities was beating the arava on ground or a vessel [Rambam Lulav 7:20-21], but according to Rashi was waving of the arava similar to way we wave our lulavim nowadays.
While the reason for waving the arava was most likely to praise G-d, the idea behind hitting the arava is a bit more mysterious. One thought is that it is a way to show the extreme need we have for rain, by beating the hard earth. However, HaRav Kook suggested that by using the simplest of the four species, we are invoking our simple religious fervor in our prayers for rain.
Following the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, the mitzva of the arava was preserved as a "minhag nevi'im" - a custom of the prophets and observed only on the seventh day - a day which became to be known as Hoshana Rabba [Shulchan Aruch 664:2].
While there are authorities who rule that one can fulfill this custom simply by carrying a lulav and etrog around the bima [Rosh 4:1], the common custom is to take a separate bundle of aravot [Mishna Berura 64 note 21]. Ideally, there should be 5 branches in this bundle, and they should be "tied" together [ibid note 17].
After encircling the bima seven times and reciting the added prayers, we perform the "chibut arava." The most common practice is to beat the arava several times on the ground or on a vessel. According to the Shulchan Aruch, this should be done two or three times [Shulchan Aruch 664:4], while the Arizal wrote that should be done five times [Mishna Berura 764 note 19]. According to some authorites [Pri Megadim Eshel Avraham note 6] we should continue to beat the aravot until some of the leaves fall off. (However, there is no basis to beat the branches until all the leaves fall off [Chayei Adam 153:3].)
Interestingly, the Shulchan Aruch suggests shaking the arava before beating it - to fulfill the opinion of Rashi [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 764:4]. However, the Aruch HaShulchan notes that this is not the custom. Nevertheless, he does rule that we should shake them "a bit" [Aruch HaShulchan Orech Chaim 664:2,7].
Following the "chibbut arava," the aravot should not be disposed of in a regular manner, since they have been used for a custom/mitzvah. Therefore, there arose a custom to save them to burn at the time of biur chametz [Shulchan Aruch ibid, 9]. Some have the custom to store them above the Aron HaKodesh, while others specifically do not place them there, but put them away elsewhere - some taking them home as a segulah [Nitei Gavriel 79:6].
Visit the Special Sukkot FAQ section on the homepage of the KINS Website www.congkins.org
DVAR TORAH One of the most interesting Sukkot observances is the Simchat Bet Hashoeva. While today this celebration is associated with communal dancing and music during Chol HaMoed, when the Beit HaMikdash stood, this event took place on the second night of the Sukkot.
As the Mishna [Sukkah Chapter 5] describes: Men of good works ['anshe maase'] and pious people would lead processions of multitudes, happy crowds, accompanied by Levites playing musical instruments, torchlight parades, dancing, singing on their way to the Temple gates and courtyard. The sages themselves would dance and sing. Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel used to juggle with eight lighted torches at once.
What was the occasion for the celebration? The libation of water ['nisuch hamayim'] that was drawn from the springs outside of Yerushalayim and poured along with the sacrifices of Sukkot.
But why celebrate this? What about the seventy sacrifices of this holiday or the daily libation of wine? What was so special about the libation of water!?
While there are many answers to this question, the late Rav Ahron Soloveitchik suggested that the reason was to teach us that the greatest and truest joy in life is found in the simple things in life - in pouring water on the altar.
Which is also one of the key lessons of this entire holiday of Sukkot, as we leave our homes, and go out into the Sukkah as a sign of our trust in G-d, and to remember that ultimately ALL of our material possessions are meaningless, without that trust!
Receive a daily 3 Minute Halacha directly to your whatsapp. Click here to enroll
MAZAL TOV * to Max and Rivkah Leah Friedman on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Shmuel. Mazal Tov to grandparents Mrs. Miriam Weinberger, Barry Friedman, and Devora Friedman. * to Daniel Stuhlman on his engagement to Carol Amsterdam of Los Angeles.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
All shiurim and learning this week are sponsored by Shoshi and Moshe Kahn in commemoration of the 7th yahrtzeit of Shoshi’s father, Yaakov ben Efraim Yitzchok – Jack Reiss z’l. May his neshama have an aliyah and may his memory serve as an inspriation to his family and friends.
A donation to the Learning fund was made by: Leo and Sylvia Feigenbaum in commemoration of the yahrtzeits of David and Miriam Feigenbaum z’l.
DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays, 12pm - will resume 10/6
30 MINUTES OF PARSHA, Wed. 8:00p / Shabbat 8:30am - will resume after Sukkot
SEFER DANIEL – Sundays 9:00am - will resume 10/3
BIRTHDAYS Benjamin Shapiro (9/24) Mr. Howard Rieger (9/25) Mrs. Sharyl Ross (9/25) Levi Medow (9/27) Joshua Saltzberg (9/28) Mr. Tzvi Frankenthal (9/29) Mrs. Shoshana Benditzson (9/30) Yogi Friedman (10/1)
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park Main: 2800 W. North Shore Ave & North: 3003 West Touhy • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
