Some have the custom to throw their Hoshanot on top of the Aron Kodesh (holy ark). Some relate this to the leaning of the aravot on the Mizbe'ach (holy altar) in the Beit HaMikdash.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe would often put the aravot in his Siddur and take them out of Shul with him.
- Some save the aravot (as well as the lulav etc.) and use them for burning the Chametz before Pesach. If this is not possible, they burn them beforehand to ensure that they do not end up being treated in a disrespectful way.
- Some say that carrying a leaf of the Hoshanot is a segulah (spiritually propitious act) for general protection, safe travels, protection from anxiety and bad dreams. It is also a segulah for having children since Arava is the same gematria as zera [seed].
- Some have a custom of using the etrog as besomim (spices for havdalah); others cook it and make jam out of it. Eating it is considered a segulah for an easy childbirth. This is especially true if eaten on Tu Bishvat.
- Some save the Haddassim and use them as besamim for havdalah.
- There was a custom for pregnant women to bite off the pitam of the etrog as a segulah for an easy labor. Due to various Halachic issues, the halachic authorities are glad that the custom has fallen into neglect.
- If one does not plan on using these items in the above ways, it is best not to throw them in the garbage. One should also not step on them. They can be left somewhere (under bushes or the like) where they do not get in the way and just naturally decompose. They can also be burned.
- By the letter of the law, one may wrap them in a plastic bag and then throw them out.
Extra Tzedakah
It is proper to give extra Tzedakah on this day to sweeten the judgments just as the striking of the aravot sweetens the five levels of judgment.
Hoshana Rabbah Meal
It is customary to eat a festive meal in the Sukkah during the day of Hoshana Rabbah. The meal should be eaten in the morning or early afternoon but not in the late afternoon as that would diminish one’s appetite for the evening Yom Tov meal. As such, one should begin this meal before 4:00 p.m. (a half hour before mincha ketana). No Kiddush is recited.
After reciting Hamotzi, one should dip the bread into honey. According to Chabad custom, this is the last “honey dip” of this season. It is not necessary to have lechem mishnah (two loaves of challah) at this meal.
Kreplach
Ashkenazim have a custom to eat kreplach (pockets of dough and meat) at this meal. The reason for this custom is that on Yom Tov days we eat meat. On days that are semi Yom Tov — Purim, Erev Yom Kippur and Hoshana Rabbah -- we eat a Yom Tov meal although work is not forbidden. On those days it is customary to eat meat that is covered with dough (kreplach).
In addition, the meat symbolizes (Divine) judgment and the dough (Divine) kindness. Thus, the covering of the meat with dough represents the tempering of the judgments with kindness.
Last LeDavid
According to Chabad custom, the last time one recites LeDavid Hashem ohri (Psalm 27) in this holiday season is during Mincha of Hoshana Rabbah. In some communities, this psalm continues to be recited on Shmini Atzeret as well.
Mikvah
It is proper for men to immerse in the mikvah in preparation for Yom Tov.
