Sukkos

Laying the Schach

The custom is to begin working on building the sukkah as soon as Yom kippur is over. The Rebbe will come into the sukkah in his home to lay some of the schach and to prepare it for the upcoming yomtov. In the Rebbe’s home the all year round dining room is converted into a sukkah which is used by the Rebbe and his family.

Tzedakah on Erev Sukkos

There is a special segulah of giving tzedakah on Erev Sukkos. In the hours before Sukkos begins hundreds and chassidim come to the Rebbe home and to pass the Rebbe and give tzedakah which will then be distributed to many needy families so that they too can have an enjoyable Yom Tov.

Davening on Sukkos

The tefillos in Belz during Sukkos have a special beauty to them. There is a feeling of joy in the air as the thousand of people come join the Rebbe for these special days. Every morning on Sukkos, before coming into shul for davening hundreds of yeshiva students and guest go into the big sukkah to make a brachah and shake one of the many sets of Lulav and Esrog which belong to the Rebbe.

Reciting Hallel

The highlight of the davening on Sukkos is reciting the Hallel while holding the Lulav and Esrog. The Rebbe leads the Hallel every day with great emotion, and the huge shul is filled with joy as the thousands praise and thank Hashem.

Hakofos with Lulav and Esrog

After Hallel comes Hoshanos. The Aron Kodesh is opened and a Torah is taken to the Bimah by one of the chassidim, while the Rebbe leads the crowd in a Hafokah (circle) around the Bimah while holding the Lulav and Esrog in their hands.