Every day of Succos during
morning services a hakafa1 (הֲקָפָה)
is made around the bima2 (בִּימָה)
during which the congregation chants a liturgical poem. This ritual is called
Hoshanos because the word hoshana (הושע נא),
“please save [us]” is said after every line. On each of the first six days of
Succos a different piyut is said. On the seventh day of Succos, which is called
Hoshana Raba (הוֹשַׁעְנָא רַבָּא), the “Great
Salvation”, seven are said, some of which were recited earlier in the week,
while making seven circuits around the table on which the Torah scroll is read.
The idea of asking for
salvation is a continuation of the theme of penitence from Rosh Hashana and Yom
Kippur. The repentance expressed in Succos though is rooted in love as opposed
to that of the High Holidays which is rooted in fear. So to speak we are
apologizing to an offended loved one as opposed to someone who is very
powerful.
There is a slight variation in
the sequence of the hoshanos depending on the first day of the week on which
Succos falls and the resultant day that Shabbos falls. What follows is the
general sequence. The first piyut “לְמַעֵן אֲמִיתָּך”,
asks for salvation because it is G-d’s own interest. Save us because of Your
truth. Save us because of Your bris. Save us because You are kind. Save us for
the sake of Your kingdom.
The piyut “אֶבֶן שְׁתִיָּה” literally “foundation stone” calls to the
Holy One Blessed be He through the many metaphors to which the Temple is
referred. Some of them are chosen dwelling place, secluded sanctuary, Mount
Moriah, the camp of David, perfection of beauty, holy of holies.
“I will prepare
my cry” אֶעֱרוֹך שוּעִי tends to be
grammatical, making use of the Hebrew root שע.
Much of it is a scream (שוע) for salvation (ישועה). However it includes themes of repentance
for maliciousness (פשע) and evil (רשע). It is not said on Hoshana Raba probably
because it is the desperate plea of somebody who has been very bad for example
“in the fast I have exposed my maliciousness” and “tolerate my wanton evil”.
Therefore it is inconsistent with a day that is in fact very happy.
“The Nation for which I am a Wall” אוֹם אֲנִי חוֹמָה
expresses praises of the nation of Israel especially for enduring suffering for
the sake of G-d’s name: Clear as the sun, exiled and rejected, like a palm
tree, reckoned like lambs to the slaughter, hugging and clinging to You, laden
with Your burden, learned in Your esteem, storm tossed ship, relying on
You.
“G-d
of Salvations” אֵֽל
לְמֽוֹשָׁעֽוֹת
(Psalm 68:21) is similar in theme to אֶעֱרוֹך שוּעִי
in that it is a scream for salvation for example גָשִים בְּשַוְעוֹת “approaching when crying”. However, it is not as
emotional and tends to me more intellectual as if one is trying to reason with
their beloved, for example: engrossed in thought הוֹגֵי שַעְשְעוֹת
entertained by riddles וְחִידוֹתָם מִשְתַּעְשְעוֹת.
It also makes use of the שע root especially with
the word hour שעה for example “subservient
to You for hours” טְפוּלוֹת בּךָ שְעוֹת.
This piyut is also not said on Hoshana Raba.
“Cherished Nation” אֹֽם נְצוּרָֽה is said on Shabbos Chol HaMoed because it asks
for salvation based on the nation’s commitment to Shabbat. Here are some
examples: Learn the practices of Shabbos גּוֹמֶֽרֶֽת הִלְכֽוֹת
שַׁבָּֽת; Remember, observe, and fulfill the Shabbat זָכֽוֹר וְשָׁמֽוֹר מְקַיֶּֽמֶת בַּשַּׁבָּֽת; Anxious and rushing
at the onset of Shabbos חָשָֽׁה לְמַהֵֽר בִּיאַֽת שַׁבָּֽת;
They call Shabbos an honor and a pleasure כָּבֽוֹד וָעֹֽנֶג
קֽוֹרְאָֽה לַשַּׁבָּֽת. They enjoy fine food on Shabbat נֹֽעַם מְגָדִֽים מַנְעֶֽמֶת לַשַּׁבָּֽת. They say Kiddush to
sanctify the Shabbatקִדּֽוּשׁ הַיּֽוֹם מְקַדֶּֽשֶׁת בַּשַּׁבָּֽת.
This is also not said on Hoshana Raba.
The piyutim resemble strings of slogans arranged in
alphabetical order. Saying them while making the hakafos really is a lot of fun
if it’s not too unruly and crowded. It helps to have a child like appreciation
of poetry. It’s a mitzvah to be happy on Succos as it says “Seven days you will
make a festival to Hashem your G-d . . .
and you will indeed be happy”, (Deuteronomy 16:15). This is one of the
places where the mitzvah is fulfilled in the liturgy.
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1The congregation marches in a circle around
2The table on which the Torah scroll is read
לע"נ, הדוד ,שמואל בן נח ז"ל נלב"ע
ט"ו אב תשס"ט,
Acknowledgements to websites:
תורת אמת, וויקיטקסט, http://dictionary.reference.com/,
http://hebrewbooks.org/,
וגם בדואר אלקטרוני
ניתן באתר http://dyschreiber.blogspot.co.il
Blogger English
http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com/2014/10/succos-happy-indeed.html
Blogger Hebrew http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com/2014/10/92.html
YouTube http://youtu.be/kfz-Ra31qrw
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