A certain tzaddik would regularly allow others to use his lulav and esrog. His followers pointed out that the excessive handling of the esrog was causing it to lose its beauty. “What greater beauty can there be,” responded the tzaddik, “than for so many Jews to use it for such a great mitzvah?!” (Likkutei Sichos vol. 9, p. 390) Indeed, the Rebbe would give each person the opportunity to use his personal lulav and esrog.
With the lulav’s spine facing you, position one hadas to the lulav’s right, one to its left, and one in the center, bent toward the right. Position one aravah to the lulav’s right and one to its left. Try to ensure the aravos aren’t that conspicuous. Bind the hadassim and aravos at the bottom of the lulav, so that when holding the lulav, they will be held as well.
Sukkah Rain Covers
If your sukkah is equipped with a rain cover, leave at least one tefach unrolled before Shabbos/Yom Tov. If possible, leave the rest of the cover open during the opening moments of Yom Tov. If rain has collected on top of the cover, do not lift it on Shabbos or Yom Tov if this will cause the rain to fall onto the grass.
Candle Lighting
Before Yom Tov, light a long-burning candle, from which the Yom Tov candles can be lit tomorrow night. Ideally, women and girls should light candles before shekiah. Two berachos are said: Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov and Shehecheyanu. A man lighting candles should not make the berachah of Shehecheyanu when lighting, as he will say this berachah later when making Kiddush. If this can be done safely, the candles should be lit in the sukkah and remain there until after the meal.
Mivtza Lulav
Over the course of Sukkos, encourage and assist your friends and acquaintances to shake the lulav and esrog, as well as any other Jew with whom you come in contact. Additionally, we go out to the street and visit places frequented by Jews to give Jewish people the opportunity to fulfill this mitzvah.
Today’s ushpizin are Avraham Avinu and the Baal Shem Tov. Maariv begins with Shir Hamaalos. Say the Shemoneh Esrei for Shalosh Regalim, inserting the additions for Sukkos where indicated. The joy and dancing of simchas beis hasho’eivah already begins on the first night of Yom Tov (albeit without musical accompaniment).
Yom Tov Meal
Say the Kiddush for Shalosh Regalim, inserting the addition for Sukkos where indicated. Tonight, this is followed by Leisheiv Basukkah (first) and then Shehecheyanu. Those not making Kiddush say Leisheiv Basukkah after Hamotzi. During the Yom Tov meals, the Hamotzi challah is dipped into honey.
When eating in the sukkah (tonight and throughout Sukkos), have in mind that the sukkah commemorates the ananei hakavod that surrounded the Jewish nation when they left Mitzrayim. It is proper to share divrei Torah related to the ushpizin of the day. Indeed, the ushpizin of the day was a common theme in the Rebbe’s sichos throughout Sukkos.
When bentching after the Yom Tov meals, say Yaaleh Viyavo, inserting the words beyom chag hasukkos hazeh, beyom tov mikra kodesh hazeh. Additionally, say the harachaman for Yom Tov followed by the harachaman for Sukkos. (See below, “Hosafos,” for the laws that apply if you forgot to say Yaaleh Viyavo.) When making a berachah acharonah mei’ein shalosh (e.g., Al Hamichyah), add the words vezachreinu letovah beyom chag hasukkos hazeh. However, if you forgot to add them, do not repeat the berachah. For a selection of halachos regarding eating in the sukkah, see below, “Hosafos.”
