interesting representation of the Hebrew date. Rather than listing the exact date, it says Hoshana Rabba 5745. This is a clear way of saying the last day of Sukkot which is called Hoshana Rabba, because of the 7 times the community circles the synagogue singing the praises of God (called Hafafot). This holiday fell on 21 Tishrei 5745.

The Hakafot: These ritual circuits are called hakafot. While congregants make only a single circuit on each of the first six days of Sukkot, they make seven circuits on Hoshana Rabba.

The Four Species: Congregants hold the Arba'at HaMinim (the Four Species: lulav, etrog, hadass, and arava) while making these seven loops.

The Arava Beating: Immediately after the seven circuits are completed, the lulav and etrog are set aside, and a special bundle of five willow branches (aravot) is beaten against the floor five times.

E. Ganin Sep 2026