Chief Rabbi Amar Leads Hoshanah Rabbah Observances in Jerusalem

Jerusalem was filled with a sacred and excited atmosphere during the night and day of Hoshanah Rabbah, as the First Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, led services in his sukkah near the 'Shema Shlomo' institutions in the Beit Vagan neighborhood. Large crowds of students and Jerusalem residents flocked to the event. Rabbi Amar spent the night studying Torah in the sukkah with his students. At midnight, his son, Rabbi Eliyahu Amar, head of the Rabbinical Court of Rehovot, delivered a profound Torah lesson to the assembled public.

As morning approached, Rabbi Amar began the traditional Hoshanah Rabbah prayers at dawn, as he does annually. The prayers were conducted with devotion and fervor, with the First Rabbi inspiring the attendees while holding the Four Species, reciting the 'Hallel' prayer, and performing the Hoshanah service with tears and pleas to God. Following the prayers, Rabbi Amar led the public in fulfilling the commandment of striking the ערבה (aravah) willow branches, according to the established ritual.

Afterward, Rabbi Amar and the congregants entered the prayer for 'Nishmat Kol Chai' with great spiritual awakening and songs of praise. At the conclusion of the service, participants passed by to receive blessings and a 'Pitka Taba' (a good note or blessing) and a final good inscription for the year from the First Rabbi.