1. Simchas Beis HaSho'eivah and Rejoicing on Hoshana Rabbah
Every night of Sukkos is marked by gatherings for singing and dancing, known as Simchas Beis HaSho'eivah—the celebration of the water-drawing. This joyful atmosphere extends to the night of Hoshana Rabbah as well. Despite the limited time available due to the recitation of Tehillim—Psalms—and the repetition of Torah readings, it is important to include some singing and dancing on this night. In fact, because time is short, one should infuse even more energy and enthusiasm into the celebration, making every moment count. The idea is that a little can hold a lot—even if there is less time, the quality and intensity should be greater.
Once the Rebbe instructed that non-Jews who happen, by Divine Providence, to be nearby should also see and take part in this rejoicing, in the spirit of the verse V'atah al bamoseimo sidroch—“and you shall tread upon their high places” (Devarim 33:29).
2. Nighttime Customs: Torah Reading and Tehillim
On Hoshana Rabbah, it is customary to stay awake all night. The entire Chumash Devarim, including the portion of V'zos HaBerachah, is read before midnight. Unlike other times when one does Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum—reading each verse twice with translation—on this night it is read only once.
After midnight, there is a special emphasis on giving tzedakah—charity—as encouraged by the Rebbe. The entire Tehillim is then recited while wearing a gartel (belt). The recitation of Kaddish follows the same pattern as on Shabbos Mevarchim: if there is a mourner present, Kaddish is said between sections; otherwise, it is recited only at the end.
3. Special Prayers and Apple Custom
At the end of each book of Tehillim, there are special prayers. On Hoshana Rabbah, three are said: the Yehi Ratzon for Hoshana Rabbah, the Yehi Ratzon said after the moon has come out, and the Yehi Ratzon for Yom Tov. Although earlier sources suggest omitting the Yom Tov prayer, later guidance from the Rebbe was to include all three.
A longstanding tradition involves a gabbai distributing sweet apples (sometimes dipped in honey) to participants on Hoshana Rabbah night. While not always specified in texts whether honey is used, many recall dipping apples in honey themselves—similar to Rosh Hashanah customs. The apples are distributed between books of Tehillim but should only be eaten in a Sukkah due to strict adherence to eating requirements during Sukkos.
4. All-Night Learning and Preparation for Aravos
After completing Tehillim, people remain awake studying Torah according to their preference. The Rebbe often assumed that participants would study sections from Zohar as included in Tikkun Leil Hoshana Rabbah. The Rebbe Rashab would go to mikveh at dawn—a custom not widely practiced today—but he would also prepare bundles of aravos—willow branches—for all family members, including women and children (even infants). Some say that even babies’ bundles should be “banged” for them.
Traditionally, these bundles are tied using leaves from the lulav rather than rubber bands.
5. Morning Blessings and Halachic Details After Staying Up All Night
Even if one remains awake all night on Hoshana Rabbah, all morning blessings (Birchos HaShachar) are recited as usual after dawn (alos hashachar). If someone slept for at least half an hour during the night and then washed their face or put on shoes or clothing, they may recite all blessings immediately after midnight. However, if one did not hear a rooster crow (tarnegol), that specific blessing should wait until dawn.
There’s discussion about whether Torah study may begin before dawn after being up all night; opinions vary among authorities.
6. Lulav Preparations and Davening Practices on Hoshana Rabbah
The Rebbe Rashab would change his hadasim (myrtle) and aravos during Chol HaMoed Sukkos so that new ones were used on Hoshana Rabbah morning—though this was not given as an instruction for everyone.
On Hoshana Rabbah we do not wear a kittel nor do we add anything extra to davening beyond what’s standard for Chol HaMoed. Some communities have a custom to use Yom Tov nusach for davening but Chabad does not follow this practice.
Before Hallel begins, two ties are removed from the lulav itself so that only three remain holding it together—since on Hoshana Rabbah one should increase the rustling of the lulav leaves and the joy.
7. Hoshanos Procession and Banging Aravos
During Hoshanos on Hoshana Rabbah morning, all Torah scrolls are removed from the ark (Aron Kodesh) and brought near the bimah while seven circuits are made around with just the four species (not with aravos or hoshanos bundles). Each circuit begins at specific letters in each paragraph according to tradition.
After completing seven circuits and reciting special verses unique to Hoshana Rabbah (such as Taaneh Emunim), the Sifrei Torah are returned to the ark, the four species are put down, and Kaddish Tiskabel is said. Then five willow branches (aravos) are taken and beaten on the ground five times—on the floor itself, not on the bimah or a carpet, as the Rebbe did—after which they are set aside and the Yehi Ratzon is said.
The Rebbe would separate the willows from one another before beating them, and beat them lightly; women and children also participate in this custom. There’s no fixed place where aravos must be left afterward—the Rebbe sometimes left them by his chair or took them home rather than placing them on or near the ark.
8. Torah Reading, Festive Meal, and Concluding Customs
The Torah reading follows standard Chol HaMoed procedure with four aliyos both in Chutz LaAretz (diaspora) and Eretz Yisroel (Israel), with minor differences based on local custom regarding which passages are read.
During Musaf we recite U'vayom HaShevi'i—the seventh day offering for Sukkos.
Sefer HaMinhagim states that our custom is not to wish one another G'mar Chasimah Tovah, “a good kvitel” (pitka tava) and the like on Hoshana Rabbah. In later years, however, the Rebbe mentioned it and often gave this blessing at the Hoshana Rabbah farbrengens. The term “kvitel” refers to a note submitted with requests—so wishing someone a good kvitel means their prayers should be answered favorably.
It’s best to eat a festive meal before midday since Yom Tov (Shemini Atzeres) will soon begin; bread is dipped in honey (with salt also present), echoing Rosh Hashanah customs. On Hoshana Rabbah it’s traditional to eat kreplach—meat-filled dumplings—since whenever there’s “banging” involved (Erev Yom Kippur with kapparos chickens or aravos here), kreplach are served.
In Eretz Yisroel where Sukkos ends after one day of Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah, Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum for V'zos HaBerachah including Haftorah is completed on Hoshana Rabbah itself; outside Israel it’s done later since Simchas Torah falls an extra day later.
In Israel it is customary to enter the sukkah toward evening and eat or drink something as a farewell, without saying a Yehi Ratzon, since they no longer use it after Sukkos ends; outside Israel this farewell takes place on Shemini Atzeres since meals continue there through Yom Tov.
At Mincha on Hoshana Rabbah, L'Dovid Hashem Ori is said for the last time.
Some have a custom when saying Yizkor memorial prayers to light an extra candle but the Previous Rebbe did not light a candle on any day Yizkor is said.
Finally candles are lit for Shemini Atzeres with full Yom Tov blessings including Shehecheyanu. In some places white covers like those used for Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur are placed over reading tables or arks but in Lubavitch tradition these covers remain from Rosh Hashanah through Simchas Torah without change.