HOSANNA, in the Hebrew ceremonies, a prayer which they rehearsed on the several days of the feast of tabernacles. It was thus called, because there was frequent repetition therein of the word שָׁוֵה, servare, or servare precor; i. e. save us now; or, save us, we pray.
There are divers of these hosannahs. The Jews call them boschannoth; i. e. the bosannahs. Some are rehearsed on the first day, others on the second, &c. which they call bosanna of the first day, bosanna of the second day, &c.
Hosanna Rabba, or Grand Hosanna, is a name they give to their feast of tabernacles, which lasts eight days; because, during the course thereof, they are frequently calling for the assistance of God, the forgiveness of their sins, and his blessing on the new year; and to that purpose they make great use of the boschannoth, or prayers above mentioned.—The Jews also apply the term bosanna rabba, in a more peculiar manner, to the seventh day of the feast of tabernacles; because they apply themselves more immediately on that day to invoke the divine blessing, &c.