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Beating the Aravot: Difference between revisions
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# If necessary, one can pass his [[aravot]] that he used to beat on the ground to a friend to fulfill his obligation as well as long as most of the leaves are still on the branch. <ref> Sh"T Yechave Daat 3:48 </ref> | # If necessary, one can pass his [[aravot]] that he used to beat on the ground to a friend to fulfill his obligation as well as long as most of the leaves are still on the branch. <ref> Sh"T Yechave Daat 3:48 </ref> | ||
# The minumum length for an [[aravah]] branch for beating is 3 [[tefachim]], like it is for the [[aravah]] for the mitzva with [[lulav]]. <ref> Chazon Ovadia [[Sukkot]] pg. 443 </ref> | # The minumum length for an [[aravah]] branch for beating is 3 [[tefachim]], like it is for the [[aravah]] for the mitzva with [[lulav]]. <ref> Chazon Ovadia [[Sukkot]] pg. 443 </ref> | ||
==Reasons for the | ==Reasons for the Custom== | ||
#Some view the beating of the Aravah as a rite of atonement, and interprets | #Some view the beating of the Aravah as a rite of atonement, and interprets Hoshana Rabba as a day of final judgment and forgiveness. Beating the branches symbolizes, and mystically brings about, a sweetening of the Divine attribute of justice<ref>Zohar Parshat Tzav (end of 31b)</ref> | ||
#Others have suggested that beating the Aravah represents a prayer for rain, the sound of beating | #Others have suggested that beating the Aravah represents a prayer for rain, the sound of beating Aravot evoking the sounds and sights of a rainstorm<ref>e.g. Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs, in The Jewish Religion: A Companion</ref> | ||
# Finally, a recent view proves that the beating of the Aravah is a re-enactment of a prophecy delivered and acted out by the prophet Chagai on the 21st of Tishrei (i.e. on Hoshana Rabba) in which Chagai encouraged Jews that God would ultimately overturn the nations of the world and redeem Israel and the Temple.<ref>See Chagai 2:1-9 and see article by Steven Weiner entitled "What Did the Willows Ever Do to Deserve Such a Beating? An Original Explanation for a Perplexing Custom" found here: http://seforim.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-did-willows-ever-do-to-deserve.html</ref> | # Finally, a recent view proves that the beating of the Aravah is a re-enactment of a prophecy delivered and acted out by the prophet Chagai on the 21st of Tishrei (i.e. on Hoshana Rabba) in which Chagai encouraged Jews that God would ultimately overturn the nations of the world and redeem Israel and the Temple.<ref>See Chagai 2:1-9 and see article by Steven Weiner entitled "What Did the Willows Ever Do to Deserve Such a Beating? An Original Explanation for a Perplexing Custom" found here: http://seforim.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-did-willows-ever-do-to-deserve.html</ref> | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
