בס”ד
The seventh day of the festival of Sukkot, known as Hoshana Rabbah, opens a window to a day which is the climax for the entire month, when the universal judgment regarding physical sustenance, rainfall, and the existence of all nations of the world is finalized for the coming year. The Zohar says that the final decision and sealing of the judgment concerning one’s destiny takes place on Hoshana Rabbah. What message does this day carry for any individual?
During the first six days of Sukkot, a diminishing number of bulls were offered in the Holy Temple. On Hoshana Rabbah—the seventh day—the offering of the seventy bulls corresponding to the seventy primary nations of the world were completed (Sukkah 55b; Rashi to Sukkah 55b; Rashi to Numbers 29:18). Hoshana Rabbah marks the conclusion of these seven days, this is an open window of mercy before the Divine notes which reflect the yearly abundance go forth.
In the prophecy of Zechariah (Chapter 14), the test for the nations of the world in the future era is centering around recognizing G-d’s Kingship and making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem during the holiday of Sukkot:
“And it shall come to pass that whoever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the L-rd of Hosts—upon them there shall be no rain.”
The prophet directly links the spiritual willingness to acknowledge the Creator with the physical abundance of rain. The nations who do come up are blessed with rain.
On Rosh Hashanah the verdict is given. On Yom Kippur (The Sealing) the judgment is officially signed and sealed, however, it is still on hold. Hoshana Rabbah marks the completion of the judgment, when the Divine writs are said to go forth. Throughout the days of Sukkot, the Creator “holds back” the delivery of the heavenly decrees . This gap—between the sealing of judgment on Yom Kippur and the delivery of the notes on Hoshana Rabbah—is not accidental. It is an extraordinary window of opportunity of Divine mercy, wherein the notes of the sentence is delayed to grant a person additional time to awaken, perform proper repentance, and mend their ways, then, after the Teshuvah was made, the Creator, the ultimate good, will give blessing, life and prosperity.
For a Noahide, this teaching can carry a practical and inspiring message,even if a person feels they missed the initial days of judgment (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), the gates of mercy are not completely closed until the delivery of the notes on Hoshana Rabbah, teshuvah is always available to every human being. Hoshana Rabbah is a good example for that, even at the “last moment” there is still an open door.
By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein
Sources:
Judgment on Water and Rain: Mishnah, Rosh Hashanah 1:2; Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1:3.
The Seventy Bulls and Atonement for the Nations: Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 55b; Pesikta de-Rabbi Kahana 19; Meiri, Beit HaBechirah, Sukkah 52b.
Prophecy of Rain and the Nations: Zechariah 14:17–18.
Verdicts of Judgment and the Delay in Execution: Zohar, Vol. III, 31a; Avodat HaKodesh (by Rabbi Meir ibn Gabbai); Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, Kedushat Levi, Discourse for Hoshana Rabbah.
If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN
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