What happens on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles?

The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, is one of the most joyous and significant festivals in the Jewish calendar. Lasting for seven days, with an additional day known as Shemini Atzeret, Sukkot commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt and celebrates the annual harvest. The culmination of the festival, often referred to as “the last day,” holds deep spiritual and historical significance. What exactly happens on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles? This post explores the biblical origins, the rituals and customs, and the enduring meaning of this sacred day.

The Biblical Foundation of Sukkot

The Feast of Tabernacles is rooted in Leviticus 23:33-44, where God commands the Israelites to observe a seven-day festival, dwelling in temporary booths (sukkot) to remember their ancestors’ dependence on God during their wilderness journey. The festival is marked by rejoicing, offering sacrifices, and giving thanks for the harvest. The last day, known as Hoshana Rabbah, is distinct from the first six days, both in ritual and meaning.

The Meaning of Hoshana Rabbah

Hoshana Rabbah, meaning “the great supplication” or “the great salvation,” is the name given to the seventh and final day of Sukkot. While the festival continues with Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah immediately afterward, Hoshana Rabbah is considered the climactic conclusion of Sukkot itself. Jewish tradition regards this day as the final opportunity for judgment and blessing in the year.

According to rabbinic interpretation, the fate of the world for the coming year is sealed on Yom Kippur but not delivered until Hoshana Rabbah. The day is thus imbued with a sense of urgency, prayer, and spiritual intensity, as worshippers seek divine favor and blessing.

Rituals and Customs on the Last Day

The last day of Sukkot is marked by unique and elaborate rituals, many of which are distinct from the preceding days:

The Hoshana Procession

Central to Hoshana Rabbah is the hoshanot procession. Worshippers circle the synagogue seven times while holding the four species—the lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow). Each circuit is accompanied by prayers for salvation, rain, and blessing. The act of circling the altar is a symbolic reenactment of the Israelites’ procession around the altar in the Temple and is filled with heartfelt supplication.

The Beating of the Willows

Another unique custom is the beating of willow branches (aravot). After the morning prayers and the seven hoshanot circuits, worshippers take bundles of willows and strike them on the ground. This ritual is rich in symbolism, representing the casting away of sin, a plea for rain, and a prayer for spiritual renewal. The sound of the willows striking the ground fills the synagogue with a palpable sense of communal hope and humility.

The Reading of Psalms and Prayers

On Hoshana Rabbah, the Psalms are recited with special fervor, particularly Psalm 118, which includes the words “Hoshana” (“Save now!”). Additional prayers for salvation and prosperity are included, and the liturgy is longer and more elaborate than on other days of Sukkot. Many communities also recite the entire book of Deuteronomy or selections from it, reflecting on the journey of the Israelites and God’s enduring faithfulness.

Water-Drawing Ritual (Simchat Beit HaShoeva)

Although the water-drawing ritual, or Simchat Beit HaShoeva, is observed throughout Sukkot, it reaches its zenith on Hoshana Rabbah. In ancient times, priests would draw water from the Pool of Siloam and pour it on the altar in the Temple, symbolizing prayers for rain and fruitful harvests. This joyous ceremony was accompanied by music, dancing, and great celebration, reflecting the festival’s agricultural roots and spiritual longing for divine blessing.

Spiritual Significance and Symbolism

The rituals of Hoshana Rabbah are rich in symbolism. The circling of the altar echoes the walls of Jericho falling after seven circuits, symbolizing the breaking down of barriers and the ushering in of spiritual renewal. The four species represent unity and the diversity of the community, while the willow beating signifies humility and the hope for cleansing and new beginnings.

The prayers for rain reflect the agricultural foundation of the festival and the recognition of dependence on God for sustenance. In Israel, the end of Sukkot marks the beginning of the rainy season, making these prayers especially poignant.

The Transition to Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

While Hoshana Rabbah concludes Sukkot, it immediately transitions into Shemini Atzeret, the “Eighth Day of Assembly.” This day has its own identity and significance, representing a more intimate time with God, separate from the agricultural and historical themes of Sukkot. In the Diaspora, Simchat Torah is celebrated concurrently with Shemini Atzeret or on the following day, marking the completion and restart of the annual Torah reading cycle.

The joyous mood of Sukkot persists into these celebrations, but the focus shifts from supplication to gratitude, Torah study, and communal rejoicing. The transition underscores the continuity between seeking God’s blessing and responding with praise and dedication.

Jesus and the Last Day of the Feast

For Christians, the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles carries additional significance due to events recorded in the New Testament. In John 7:37-38, it is written, “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’”

This dramatic declaration connects Jesus’ message to the water-drawing ritual and the prayers for rain, symbolizing spiritual fulfillment through faith in him. Many Christian interpretations see this as a fulfillment of the festival’s longing for salvation and spiritual renewal.

Contemporary Observance and Lasting Lessons

Today, Jewish communities around the world celebrate Hoshana Rabbah with reverence and joy. While the Temple rituals can no longer be performed, the essence of the day endures through prayer, study, and communal gatherings. The themes of repentance, renewal, dependence on God, and hope for blessing continue to inspire worshippers.

The Feast of Tabernacles as a whole—and Hoshana Rabbah in particular—serves as a powerful reminder of the cycles of life, the need for humility, and the importance of seeking spiritual renewal. Its rituals invite participants to reflect on their relationship with God, their community, and the world around them.