some Sephardic communities where the Priestly Blessing is recited daily. Evening prior to Hoshana Rabbah It is customary to read the whole of Tehillim (Psalms) on Hoshana Rabbah eve. There is also a custom to read the book of Deuteronomy on the night of Hoshana Rabbah. Rituals and customs The reasons for many of the customs of the day are rooted in Kabbalah. Seven hoshanot The modern-day observance of the rituals of Hoshana Rabbah is intended to emulate the practices that existed in the times of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. During Sukkot, the four species are taken in a circuit (hakafah) around the bimah of the synagogue once daily. On Hoshana Rabbah, there are seven circuits (hakafot). Making a circuit around the bimah on Sukkot while each person holds the four species in his hands has its origin in the Temple service, as recorded in the Mishnah: "It was customary to make one procession around the altar on each day of Sukkot, and seven on the seventh day" (Sukkah 4:5). The priests carried the palm branches or willows in their hands. The entire ceremony is to demonstrate rejoicing and gratitude for a blessed and fruitful year. Moreover, it serves to tear down the iron wall that separates us from our Father in Heaven, as the wall of Jericho was encompassed "and the wall fell down flat" (Joshua 6:20). Furthermore, the seven circuits correspond to the seven Hebrew words in - "I wash my hands in purity and circle around Your altar, O Lord". According to Kabbalistic tradition, each circuit is done in honor of a patriarch, prophet, or king. (The list of honorees is identical to that of the honorary invitees to the sukkah according to the tradition of Ushpizin.) Abraham Isaac Jacob Moses (the most important Hebrew prophet) Aaron (Moses's brother, the first high priest) Joseph (Jacob's most famous son) David (the most important king of Israel) Tikkun Hoshana Rabbah Abudarham speaks of the custom of reading the Torah on the night of Hoshana Rabbah, out of which has grown the custom of reading Deuteronomy, Psalms, and passages from the Zohar; reciting Kabbalistic prayers. In Orthodox Jewish circles, some men will stay up all night learning Torah. Sephardim have a tradition of staying up the entire night on the eve of this day. Throughout the night in the synagogues, Torah learning takes place, and some recite Selichot prayers.