Monday evening, the second night of Yom Tov: since we are not allowed to make any preparations from one day of Yom Tov to the other, we wait 45 minutes after Shekia (N.Y.C. E.D.T. time 6:56 p.m.) some wait 60 minutes (N.Y.C. time: 7:11 p.m. E.D.T.) while others wait 72 minutes (N.Y.C. time: 7:23 p.m. E.D.T.) before we light candles and then we commence all preparations. When lighting candles we recite Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov, and Shehecheyanu.
Maariv (the second evening of Sukkos): Usual tefilla of Yom Tov as found in the Machzor, followed by Kaddish Tiskabbel by the chazzan. We conclude with Aleinu, LeDavid Hashem Ori and their respective Mourner’s Kaddish recitals.
Sukka: We recite the Ushpizin (our Patriarch Yitzhak leads the honored guests on the second night). Kiddush of Yom Tov, concluding with the blessing of Shehecheyanu and Leishev basukka .
Shacharis, Tuesday morning: see first day.
Lulav & Esrog: see first day.
Hallel: see first day.
(Hoshanos: some congregations say it following Hallel – Even Shesiya; also see first day).
Kerias HaTorah: We open the Ark and follow the usual text, including the Shelosh Esreh Middos and Ribbono shel Olam. We remove two Torah scrolls from the Ark and read from Parashas Emor (Vayikra 22:26-23:44) in the first scroll, and call 5 aliyos. We then place the second scroll next to the first one on the Bimah (desk) and the Reader recites half‑Kaddish. The Maftir reads from the second scroll in Parashas Pinchas (Bamidbar 29:12‑16). The Haftara is VaYikahalu el hamelech Shlomo (I Kings 8:2‑21).
After the Birkos HaHaftara the chazzan chants Kah Keili, followed by Ashrei and Yehallelu, and we return the Torah scrolls to the Ark. The chazzan recites half‑Kaddish.
Mussaf: See first day
Hoshanos: (Even Shesiya) See first day.
Sukka: The text for the daytime Kiddush is Eleh Mo’adei, VaYedabber Moshe, followed by the blessings of Borei pri hagafen (on wine) and Leishev basukka.
Mincha: See first day.
Ma’ariv: The earliest zeman is 45 minutes after sunset, that is, 6:55 p.m. (N.Y.C., E.D.T.) , Maariv prayer is usual weekday Maarivis is the usual weekday tefilla with Ata chonantanu and Ya’aleh VeYavo with the mention of Sukkos.
Havdala: Havdala is recited in the sukka. We do not say the blessings for light and spices, but say Borei pri hagafen and Hamavdil bein kodesh lechol, concluding with Leishev basukka. In the Ushpizin prayer our Patriarch Yaakov leads the honored guests.
Shacharis: Chol Hamo’ed: There are numerous customs regarding the donning of tefillin on Chol Hamoed. Generally, Nusach Sefarad and followers of the Vilna Gaon do not don tefillin – but others – Nusach Ashkenaz – do, some without a beracha, some with the utterance of an inaudible beracha; each should follow his family custom. Nevertheless, all (including the chazzan) remove their tefillin before Hallel.
Shemoneh Esreh: weekday text with Ya’aleh VeYavo.
Hallel: We take the lulav and esrog in hand (lulav, bound with 3 hadassim on the right side and 2 aravos on the left side), the lulav in the right hand and the esrog in the left hand, pitom facing downward (see first day). (Sefarad and certain other congregations follow now with Hoshanos, circling the Bimahonce – E’eroch Shui – on the first day of Chol Hamo’ed; Om Ani Choma on the second; Kel Lemoshaos on the third day; and on the fourth day, Shabbos Om Netzura.)
We then remove one Sefer Torah from the Ark and call 4 aliyos. We read in Parashas Pinchas, First day (Bamidbar 29:17‑25) U’vayom Hasheni – Kohen; U’vayom Hashelishi – Levi, U’vayom Harevi’i – Yisrael; U’vayom Hasheni/U’vayom Hashelishi 2nd Yisrael. Second day Chol Hamo’ed: (Bamidbar 29:20‑28) U’vayom Hashelishi – Kohen;Uvayom Harevi’I – Levi; U’vayom Hachamishi – Yisrael; U’vayom Hashelishi/U’vayom Harevi’i – (2nd) Yisrael. Third day Chol Hamo’ed – (Bamidbar 29:26‑34) U’vayom Hachamishi – Kohen; U’vayom Hashishi – Levi; U’vayom Hashevi’i– Yisrael; U’vayom Hachamishi/U’vayom Hashishi – (2nd) Yisrael. –
Mussaf, Chol Hamo’ed: Shemoneh Esreh of Yom Tov with mention of the Korbenos Hayom – the special additional sacrifices: 1st day, U’vayom Hasheni, U’vayom Hashelishi (U’minchasam); 2nd day, U’vayom Hashelishi, U’vayom Harevi’i (U’minchasam); 3rd day, U’vayom Harevi’I, U’vayom Hachamishi 4th day U’vayom Hachamishi, U’vayom Hashishi (U’minchasam).
Hoshanos: See Shacharis.
Mincha, Chol Hamo’ed: Weekday Shemoneh Esreh with Ya’aleh VeYavo.
Shabbos, Fourth day Chol Hamo’ed: see next week’s Luach below
The following chapters of Tehillim are being recited by many congregations and Yeshivos for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael: Chapter 83, 130, 142–Y.K.
