On the first night one is duty-bound to eat in the sukkah even if it involves tza’ar (pain). This does not apply on the other nights and days, when one who is extremely uncomfortable (due to rain, or extreme cold, etc.) is relieved of this obligation (see Orach Chayyim 640:4 and Rema ad loc., who qualifies this halacha; see also Rema 639:2 regarding sleeping in the sukkah).
If it rains on the first evening (and the rain is such that itis not likely to stop), we make Kiddush in the sukkah, we wash (for bread) and eat a kezayit (olive-size) piece of challah in the sukkah, and then return to the house to eat the rest of the meal. (Commenting on a discussion regarding how long one is required to wait for the rain to stop, the Mishna Berura, O.C. 639:5, notes that it is proper to wait no longer than until midnight.)
During the seven days of Sukkos we say Ya’aleh VeYavo and HaRachaman hu yakim lanu es sukkahs David hanofales in Birkas Hamazon. Each meal (or snack) requires the blessing of Leishev basukkah as well as the appropriate berachos for the various foods.
Shacharis, Thursday morning: Pesukei DeZimra, and Chazzan chants from “HaKel.” Kerias Shema follows the weekday pattern, then the silent Shemoneh Esreh of Shalosh Regalim, followed by the Chazzan’s repetition.
Lulav and Esrog: We take the lulav (to which 3 hadassim are bound on the right side and 2 aravos on the left side – see Mishna Berura, Orach Chayyim 651:1) in our right hand and the esrog (upside down, the pittam facing downside) in our left hand and recite the beracha, Al netilas lulav…in a manner oveir le’asiyasan, that is, before we have physically accomplished the taking of the lulav and esrog. We next recite Shehecheyanu with the esrog in an upright position (with the pittam facing upward) and wave the lulav in six directions (see chart detailing the various minhagim as to the number and sequence of wavings).
We recite Hallel while holding the lulav and esrog, waving at Hodu and Ana Hashem (see chart). At the conclusion of Hallel some congregations (Nusach Sefarad and some Ashkenaz) say Hoshanos while circling the Bimah (Lema’an Amitach, as found in the Machzor). We put away the lulav and esrog and the Chazzan recites Kaddish Tiskabbel.
We remove two Torah scrolls from the Ark. In the first we read from Parashas Emor (Vayikra 22:26-23:44) and call up five aliyos. In the second scroll the Maftir reads from Parashas Pinchas (Bamidbar 29:12-16). The Haftara is Hineh yom ba (Zechariah 14:1-21).
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: All say the silent Shemoneh Esreh of Shalosh Regalim. The Kohanim go up to duchan during the Chazzan’s repetition, and this time we do say Ribbono shel Olam and Yehi Ratzon.. The Chazzan recites Kaddish Tiskabbel. Most Nusach Ashkenaz congregations say Hoshanos at this point (see Shacharis). We conclude the service with Ein Ke’Elokeinu, Aleinu (Nusach Ashkenaz now add Shir Shel Yom – Hayom Yom Chamishi – and LeDavid Hashem Ori) and their respective Kaddish recitations. Some congregations conclude with An’im Zemiros and Mourner’s Kaddish.
Sukkah: The text for the daytime Kiddush is: Eleh Mo’adei, Va’yedabber Moshe, followed by the blessings of Borei pri hagafen (on wine) and Leishev basukkah.
Mincha: Ashrei, U’va LeTziyyon, the Chazzan recites half-Kaddish, and all say the silent Shemoneh Esreh of Shalosh Regalim. Following the repetition, the Chazzan recites Kaddish Tiskabbel and we conclude with Aleinu and Mourner’s Kaddish.