- Halacha
- General Questions
Hoshana Raba
Question
I’ve been celebrating Sukkot for 55 years now and my Baal Teshuva wife tells me Hoshana Raba is a Yom Tov like Shabbat, no driving etc. When did this begin? I’m Sephardic Halabi. I’ve not learned this in the 20 years I spent in yeshiva. She gets info from everywhere like facebook and every other weird source. I’m concerned because what she does is what the kids learn. Please advise.
Answer
ב"ה
Shalom
Hoshana Raba, as far as doing Melacha is concerned, is like any other day of Chol Hamoed. Anything which is permitted on Chol Hamoed may be done on Hoshana Raba. This applies to all Jews Sefardim and Askenazim. Therefore, you are permitted to drive, use electricity and your computer, otherwise, you wouldn’t be allowed to ask this question, not would I be allowed to answer.
Having a Ba'al Teshuva wife you need to have more patience to explain things in a pleasant manner so that what you say will be accepted.
However, I should make it clear that Halacha= Jewish law is not to be learned from hearsay, from the newspaper, whattsap, facebook or the like. Halacha is learned from books, or better yet from learned Rabbis.
Though we Rabbis are more than happy to answer questions on this website, nothing beats the real thing. You and your wife should find yourself a learned Rabbi who is acceptable to you both, who is available to answer your questions, someone with whom you both feel comfortable with in asking all your questions and are able to receive guidance from. Until you've found the Rabbi of your choice, please continue to send your questions and of course you may continue to do so even after you've found your Rabbi.
Chag Same'ach

Most righteous man according to Judaism?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 17, 5774

Difference between woman/converts in Srarah issues?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 1, 5781

Follow Up- Bad army food
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 26, 5781
Yahrzeit for sibling before I was born
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Cheshvan 25, 5782

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Kashiring a Kettle
Av 30, 5769

Swimming together with siblings
Av 29, 5769

Standing or sitting for Shalom Aleichem and Eishet Chail
Elul 14, 5769

Human skull in office
Elul 6, 5769

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

tizku lemtivzot
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tammuz 7, 5779

When does the Jewish day begin?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 10, 5775

Mitzwoth and Converts
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 5, 5783

fruit tree
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 10, 5783
Gluten free challah.
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 25, 5783
