The Zanzer Rebbe had a sparsely decorated Sukkah. Instead of spending money on decorations he gave it to Tzedaka, charity. The Rebbe used to say; “There is no finer way of decorating the Sukkah then to see that the poor are not hungry.”
The first two days in the last two days of Sukkot are counted as Yom Tov, holy days. The rest are still part of the holiday but do not carry the restrictions and commandments that adhere to the other four days. So, on the Yom Tov days of Sukkot we go to synagogue, say Kaddish, refrain from work and commerce. Unlike Shabbat to enhance the holiday we are allowed to cook for our needs on the Yom Tov.
On the first occasion when we pickup the lulav and etrog, we say the appropriate blessings along with the Shechechiyanu, the prayer the Lord thanking God, allowing us to live in rejoice in this moment. Hallel, specific Psalms all of which contain the word Hallelujah or Hallel, is recited each of the days of Sukkot along with the requisite Torah readings.
The sixth day of Sukkot has a special designation: Hoshannah Rabbah or the Great Hoshannah. On this day, seven circuits are made in the Synagogue carrying the lulu and etrog. Special prayers imploring and God’s mercy and kindness are part of the service. Traditionally, Hoshannah Rabbah is the last reprieve when Heaven will hear our final pleas for life, health and prosperity. After the Hoshanot have been completed, the willows (part of the lulav) are beaten on the ground. As we leave the Sukkot holy days we pray, “May this be our final atonement.”
Many people will save the etrog as a fragrant spice-box to last until next Sukkot. Cloves are pressed into the skin of the etrog for sweet smelling b’sammim to be used throughout the year for Havdalah. The palm can be used for the search for leaven on Passover and the willow branches to make fire to burn our hametz at that time. The myrtle continues to exude its fragments for many months.
Shmini Atzeret is the final day of the Holy Days. It is not technically Sukkot though. We eat in the Sukkah but do not say a blessing when sitting there. We do not bensch lulav: the lulav and etrog are set aside the day before. Only the ritual service is basically the same as it was during the holiday. Shmini Atzeret is the day of transition when we move from summer to fall, from the warmth and comfort of plenty of the harvest to the cool, reflective distance of shorter days and longer nights. A prayer for water is added. Introspection is an impetus to gaze into he pages of Kohelet, Ecclesiastes. It is traditional that we read the wisdom of Solomon’s tome on the Festival.
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