This is the last day on which we will fulfill the precepts of the four species and of dwelling in the Sukkah. This day is called Hoshana Rabbah, literally "The Great Hoshana," because more Hoshana prayers are recited on it than on other days.

When the Beit Hamikdash (Great Temple) was still standing, large willow branches were carried and placed on the altar during Sukkot. The shofar was blown, and the Kohanim would walk around the altar and recite the prayer "Hosha na" – "Please save us."
Then people would come in and wave the aravot (willow leaves).

On the seventh day of Sukkot (the last day of Chol Hamoed), these branches were carried even if it was Shabbat, and the altar was circled seven times (circling the altar).
Today we do it in the Synagogue to remember this great and beautiful precept, we walk around the bimah once each day and seven times on the seventh day of Sukkot "Hoshana Rabbah." This day is known as the day the "Arava" is struck (willow branches, as it is a custom that dates back to the time of the Prophets)

On this day, the people of Israel do not rely on their righteousness, nor on the merits they have obtained during the year, nor on the merit of their ancestors, but they ask for life "for themselves and for all humanity" solely through the merit of their prayers, addressing the Eternal:

"Master of the Universe, we come before You poor and empty-handed. We lack everything, we have no knowledge of Torah, Mitzvot, good deeds, nor the merit of our parents.
We rely only on our mouths, with which we pray to You alone. Answer us also, because of this prayer we offer with broken and contrite hearts.

Hoshana Rabbah marks the day when the judgment that began on Rosh Hashanah, at the beginning of the "Rosh Hashanah - Yom Kippur" period, is finally sealed. All the inhabitants of the world pass one by one before G-d to be examined, during the festival of Sukkot, the whole world is judged regarding water, fruits and agricultural production.

The seventh day of the holiday, "Hoshana Rabbah," is when this judgment is sealed and confirmed. Since human life depends on water, and everything hinges on the final decision, Hoshana Rabbah takes on a similar essence to Yom Kippur, characterized by prayer and profuse repentance.

This custom, which dates back to the time of the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, involves taking a bunch of Aravot (kosher river willows) and reciting a special prayer, then striking it on the ground.
Unlike other Rabbinic obligations, no blessing is recited on this practice since it was promulgated more as a custom than as a Mitzvah (precept).

It is customary to stay awake on the night of Hoshana Rabbah and recite a special Tikun and read the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) as well as recite the entire book of Psalms, thus "uniting" the day and night through study and prayer. Some who are very scrupulous in Mitzvot immerse themselves in the Mikveh (ritual bath) before dawn.

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