14

I have attended services in a number of different Ashkenazic synagogues on Sukos and Sh'mini Atzeres/Simchas Tora. When going around the bima for hosha'nos on Sukos, and, in most cases, when doing so for hakafos on Sh'mini Atzeres/Simchas Tora, people went counterclockwise (when viewed from above). Why counterclockwise?

2
  • 1
    I assume that is as the Kohen around the Mizbeach when he is in front of the Mizbeach he turns right and begins to go along the wall, this is always counterclockwise.
    – kouty
    Dec 28, 2016 at 15:55
  • 1
    כל פינות שאתה פונה לא יהיו אלא דרך ימין
    – Double AA
    Dec 28, 2016 at 16:11

3 Answers 3

12

Mishna Berura 660:1:3 says that when the Sefer Torah is on the Bimah those on the Mizrach (eastern wall) turn around to face the Torah their right side is now facing Tzafon (north) therfore they start in that direction.

2
  • +1; many thanks. That's hosha'nos. I guess hakafos (Sh'mini Atzeres/Simchas Tora) probably derived from there by force of habit or something?
    – msh210
    Oct 12, 2015 at 17:40
  • 1
    ... and by extension, if everyone faces the center of the shul and then turns right, they'll be going counter-clockwise.
    – Isaac Moses
    Oct 13, 2015 at 16:20
1

Everything done in a Beit Kenesset is modeled on the procedures as they were done in the Temple, "HaMikdash", in Jerusalem. That is why a synagogue is known as "Mikdash Me'at", a small Temple (Yechezkel 11:16, Megillah 29a in the name of Rabbi Yitzchok).

In the Temple, when the first Kohen would enter in the morning to unlock the doors, they would turn to the right and proceed to go counter-clockwise around to unlock everything. All of this is based on the concept that the right side, "Kav HaYamin", is considered the side of kindness, "chesed".

Going to the left side, "Kav HaSmole" and proceeding clockwise is associated with judgement, "Din". This is the same reason why when ascending to the Torah for an aliyah, you approach from the right normally and depart from the left, counterclockwise motion. When someone approaches for an aliyah from the left, it is an indication that they are a mourner.

During Sukkot and on Hoshannah Rabbah in particular, we are drawing "Chesed" into the world through our avodah. That is the main idea behind the judgement pertaining to water that takes place at that time and the idea of "Simchat Beit HaSho'evah", the joy of drawing water from the wellspring. We are sweetening the judgements that are finally sealed and sent for execution on Hoshannah Rabbah. And therefore, we go to the right and counterclockwise.

3
  • Everything done in a Beit Kenesset is modeled on the procedures as they were done in the Temple, source?
    – mevaqesh
    Dec 28, 2016 at 7:42
  • 1
    @mevaqesh His source "Yechezkel 11:16, Megillah 29a in the name of Rabbi Yitzchok" is just a source that a synagogue is known as a "Mikdash Me'at", not, as he disingenuously claims, a source for "That is why a synagogue is..." He has brought no source for his reason behind the name, while making it appear as if he did.
    – Double AA
    Dec 28, 2016 at 15:37
  • "In the Temple, when the first Kohen would enter in the morning to unlock the doors, they would turn to the right and proceed to go counter-clockwise around to unlock everything." Citation needed. Iirc Tamid says that after opening the first door, kohanim would enter via it and go around in both directions (split into two groups), meeting up at the lishkas ose chavitin.
    – msh210
    Dec 28, 2016 at 21:51
0

We always do things from left to right as the right is superior in the Torah. As a matter of fact where I daven (pray) we are also makpid (מקפיד) to do boi besholem (באו בשלום) in lecho dodi (לכה דודי) counter clockwise.

0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .