| By the Grace of G-d
Eve of Hoshana Rabbah, 5786 Dear Mr. , Tonight begins one of the most meaningful and powerful moments of the Jewish year. Translated as "The Great Salvation," Hoshana Rabbah is when G-d's final judgement for the year to come is concretized. Beginning tonight, the seventh day of Sukkot, G-d gives us one final day to change our fate for the year to come… This day is compared to Yom Kippur, as it is the final step in assuring our good and sweet judgement... Indeed, on Hoshana Rabbah, just like he did before Yom Kippur, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of saintly memory, would lovingly distribute a piece of honey cake to each of the many thousands who'd throng to his sukkah, blessing each one of them with a sweet year.. …the blessings from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are being sealed today, on Hoshana Rabbah…. During the past three weeks, we've experienced the awesome and holy moments of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot… We've stood before G-d, been forgiven, and joyously celebrated His closeness in the sukkah. Now comes Hoshana Rabbah, when G-d seals our blessed verdict of overflowing goodness and sweetness. So what do we do special on this day? How does one observe it? For one, there is a special custom to give tzedakah significantly more than usual throughout Hoshana Rabbah. For, as the heavenly decrees for the coming year come to final closing, our acts of generosity sweeten what has already been written. And tonight, all over the world, Jews start the night with intense Sukkot dancing, and then stay up the rest of the night to learn the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy), recite Psalms (beginning at midnight), and dip an apple into honey (like on Rosh Hashanah). Bright and early tomorrow we recite many special prayers beseeching G-d for personal and communal blessing and salvation (while circling with our lulav and etrog in front of an open Holy Ark), reaching the crescendo upon binding five new willow branches — the plainest of the Four Species, containing no scent, no flavor, and nothing remarkable at all; followed subsequently with wishing one another a sweet year and holding a festive meal. Now, why, when expressing our deepest prayers for Divine mercy, do we focus on the plain willow? Because the willow represents the simplest person — the one who may not know, may not feel, may not shine, yet remains faithful. And it represents the part of each of us that doesn't always feel inspired, the part that might seem unaffected by the spirituality of Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, the part that may not have felt G-d's presence in the sukkah. The willow tells us that even the most simple and plain part of ourselves remains connected, at its very core, to G-d because of a soul-connection that transcends even the lofty inspiration of the High Holidays. It is precisely by pointing to this core connection that we appeal to G-d to deliver us with finality into the Book of Life for a sweet new year. There is an important message here… Every person has infinite worth! Furthermore, when you help them — through giving tzedakah, especially for Hoshana Rabbah — you're not only helping another person. You are also shifting the balance of the entire world toward goodness and compassion. You are bringing more light into the world. And you are ensuring that goodness takes root in places you'll never see, and lives you may never meet. * Bringing it full circle…: Every day, someone discovers Torah and divine inspiration through Chabad.org. Someone learns how to light Shabbat candles for the first time. Someone struggling with loss finds strength in a teaching of the Rebbe. Someone learns the meaning of the sukkah, or how to say Kaddish for a loved one. And someone hoping for a miracle, or overcome after experiencing one, seeks to find expression in prayer and deed. Each of these moments are an expression of that essential divine connection. And each of them is facilitated by people like you who choose to make it possible. So as Hoshana Rabbah is celebrated with heightened awareness tonight and tomorrow, I invite you to join also in this beautiful mitzvah. Let your tzedakah today be the final act that seals your year for blessing. [Give Tzedakah → www.chabad.org/donate] May our collective efforts bring true and lasting peace and security for every one of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land — including the long-awaited return of our brethren from captivity on this very holy day! — and brighten and transform the entire world. And may you and your loved ones be sealed for a year of revealed sweetness, health, and peace! With gratitude and blessing, 
Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin
Executive Director
P.S. Immediately following Hoshana Rabbah we dance seamlessly into Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah to celebrate with unfettered joy our essential bond with G-d — whose miracles have sustained our people against all odds, including those still unfolding this year. The celebration awaits at a synagogue near you! (To find a local Chabad House, click here.) | 
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