Sukkot Observances In Israel

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 06: Orthodox Jews, holding the lulav and etrog, part of the four important symbols, walk in seven circles during Hoshana Rabbah prayers on the seventh and final day of the Jewish Holiday of Sukkot after the sunrises at the Mountain of Olives on October 6, 2023 in Jerusalem, Israel. Orthodox Jews gathered ahead of the annual Hoshana Rabbah service by participating in the all-night study ritual before the morning service, Torah service, Hoshana Rabbah rituals, ending with the BirKat Hacohanim, The Priestly Blessing. Hoshana Rabbah concludes the holiday of Sukkot by having the congregation walk the Torah scrolls around the Bimah (Torah reading table), or an adjacent area if not enough space, seven times. It is followed by smacking willow branches (part of the lulav) on the ground, usually until their leaves fall off. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)