Prayers for Salvation, Branches of Unity

Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of visiting my grandparents’ house in the Bronx. My grandmother always had her cookie jar filled and ready for us, and my grandfather never ran out of stories to tell. We looked forward to every visit, eager for the treats and the tales. But once a year, our visit had a different purpose. My grandfather grew aravot—willow branches—in his yard, and during the Sukkot holiday (Feast of Tabernacles), we would drive to the Bronx to cut the branches, bundling them into sets of five to sell at the synagogue on Hoshanah Rabbah, the seventh day of the holiday. At the time, it felt like a fun holiday tradition, but I didn’t fully grasp the deeper meaning behind those willows until much later on.

While Sukkot is often associated with celebration and joy, Hoshanah Rabbah introduces a more solemn tone to the otherwise festive holiday. According to the sages, this day marks the final opportunity to influence the divine judgment for the coming year, which begins on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and continues through Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Jewish tradition teaches that God’s judgment is not fully sealed until Hoshanah Rabbah, making it a critical moment in our spiritual journey. Additionally, we are judged for water on Sukkot, with that judgment also being finalized on this day. As a result, extra prayers for salvation are added to the morning prayer service.

On Hoshanah Rabbah, we circle the Torah reading table seven times, reciting the ancient Hoshana prayer, which begins: “Please save, for Your sake, our God, please save!” While these prayers are recited every day of Sukkot—one prayer for each day—on the seventh day, the ritual reaches its climax as all seven prayers for salvation are repeated, with additional prayers added to the liturgy. At the end of the recitation, we symbolically beat the willow bundle on the ground five times.

But what is the meaning behind this unusual custom?

One interpretation suggests that beating the willow branches is a silent prayer for rain. The willows are referred to in the Bible as “river willows,” or “willows of the brook,” reflecting their reliance on water”:

Because they are so dependent on rain, the branches become a fitting symbol in our prayers for water recited on this day

Additionally, the four species of Sukkot are thought to represent different parts of the body: the lulav (palm branch) represents the spine, the hadassim (myrtle branches) represent the eyes, the etrog (citron) represents the heart, and the aravah (willow) represents the mouth, which is linked to prayer. In this context, the willows, representing the mouth, are beaten on the ground, emphasizing the central role of prayer in seeking divine favor.

While one interpretation connects the willow to the mouth and the centrality of prayer, another interpretation compares the four species to four types of people. The etrog, with both taste and fragrance, symbolizes those who possess both Torah knowledge and good deeds. The lulav, which has taste but no fragrance, represents those who study the Bible but may lack in good deeds. The myrtle, fragrant but tasteless, corresponds to those who perform good deeds but lack Torah knowledge. Finally, the aravah, which lacks both taste and fragrance, symbolizes those who have neither knowledge of the Bible nor good deeds. By bringing these four species together, the ritual highlights the unity and interdependence of all, regardless of their individual strengths or weaknesses.

Based on this interpretation, Rabbi Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, offers a unique perspective on the ritual of beating the willow branch. He suggests that using the willow branch, rather than any of the other species, represents the quiet strength of those who are simple and unlearned. According to Rabbi Kook, the true strength of the Jewish people lies not in the intellectual brilliance of scholars, but in the unwavering faith and devotion of those who, though not learned, follow the commandments with humility and steadfastness. It is their humility and steadfastness that sustain the community through difficult times.

The simple aravah, which seems so ordinary, carries profound symbolic weight. Whether seen as a humble prayer for rain, a symbol of unity, or a representation of the quiet strength of the simple-minded, the willow branches remind us that every individual, no matter their level of observance or learning, plays a crucial role in the fabric of the community. As we beat the branches on Hoshanah Rabbah, we acknowledge both our vulnerability and our collective strength, turning to God in a final plea for a year of blessing and salvation.

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