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1.Why does the challah prepared for Hoshanah Rabbah have a hand on it?

Tradition has it that on Hoshanah Rabbah (the seventh day of Sukkot), the judgment of God, passed on Yom Kippur, is sealed by a written verdict. The extended hand represents the acceptance of the kvitel (the receipt or document) on which the verdict is recorded. The tradition of preparing challah with a hand fashioned of dough on top probably developed in Volhynia, in the Russian Ukraine.

2. What is Shemini Atzeret and why is it celebrated?

Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly, is often thought of as the eighth day of Sukkot. Actually, it is an independent holiday. The rabbis refer to it as regel bifnay atzmo, a separate holiday. This one-day holiday marks the conclusion of the festivities and observances of Sukkot, and none of the Sukkot ceremonials apply to it. It is prescribed in the Book of Leviticus with these words: "On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation; you shall do no work on it." At a later date the Jewish communities in the Diaspora added a second day to Shemini Atzeret, which became known as Simchat Torah. In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the same day as Shemini Atzeret.

The Book of Ecclesiastes is to be read on Shemini Atzeret. Its content was found to be an accurate expressions of the mood of the masses who had just experienced a long holiday period -- from Rosh Hashanah through Sukkot -- during which much soul-searching was demanded. Some rabbinic authorities are of the opinion that with the joyous holiday of Sukkot about to end, it was important, by reading Ecclesiastes, to strike a note of seriousness to balance the gaiety of Sukkot.

3. What is the real purpose of the procession around the synagogue sanctuary during the Sukkot service?

This procession is a carry over of a tradition that began in Temple times. Upon completion of the sacrificial offerings, the etrog and lulav were carried joyously around the altar, while the people sang with loud, firm voices, "We beseech You, O God, save us now!" (Psalm 118). Today, a similar procession is held after the Mussaf service in Ashkenazic synagogues and after Hallel in Sephardic ones. All congregants who have a lulav and etrog join the cantor and rabbi in circling the synagogue and singing the words of Psalm 118.

4. Why are willows beaten during the synagogue service on Hoshanah Rabbah?

The practice of beating a bunch of willows on the floor or against the seats of the synagogue on Hoshanah Rabbah began when the final day of Sukkot became associated with the final day of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur was regarded as the day that concluded the season of Divine judgment, and Hoshanah Rabbah the day that brought to a close the long holiday period beginning with Rosh Hashanah.

Yom Kippur was the day on which the Heavenly Court decided the fate of every human being, and Hoshanah Rabbah represented one final opportunity for the evil decree to be reversed. Hoshanah Rabbah was also considered the day of judgment for rain. Consequently, the beating of one's self on Yom Kippur was carried over to Hoshanah Rabbah and the beating of willows.

5. Why is Sukkot sometimes called the Festival of Tabernacles?

"Tabernacles" is derived from the Latin word tabernaculum, meaning a hut or temporary shelter. The word sukkah (the plural is sukkot) is the Hebrew equivalent.

6. Can you tell me something about the waving of the lulav during Sukkot services?

Sukkot falls in the autumn season, and marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel. Centuries ago, farmers were quite anxious about having sufficient rainfall to irrigate their fields. The waving ritual was a way of beseeching God to bless them with rain. To indicate that the presence of God is everywhere, the lulav is waved three times each to the east, north, west, and south, then upwards towards heaven, and downwards, toward earth.

7. Why do some people both eat and sleep in their sukkah?

Some Jews take the words in Leviticus 23, "You shall live in booths" literally. They interpret the word "live" to mean that one should eat and sleep in the sukkah. Interestingly, no blessing need be recited when building a sukkah so as not to detract from the fundamental mitzvah, which is to "live" in the sukkah, rather than just build it.

Rabbi Isaacs' forthcoming book is "Have a Good Laugh: Jewish Jokes for the Soul" (Ktav Publishing). Rabbi Ron Isaacs is the spiritual leader of Temple Sholom, a Conservative congregation in Bridgewater. He has recently published biographies of Abraham Joshua Heschel and Judah Touro (Torah Aura Productions). Contact him at www.rabbiron.com or "Ask the Rabbi," c/o Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 6007, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807.