In the Pesukei DeZimra, We say Mizmor LeToda then Lam’natzeach Mizmor L’David and all the mizmorim that follow, the same text as on Shabbos and Yom Tov, however do not say Nishmas – but continue straight to Yishtabach, which is followed by half-Kaddish. Then some congregations say Shir Hama’alos mima’amakim while the Aron HaKodesh is open. Chazzan then says Barechu and congregation responds.
Birchas Kerias Shema is weekday text, followed by the silent Shemoneh Esreh, usual weekday Shacharis with Ya’aleh VeYavo and mention of Sukkos. Following the chazzan’s repetition we take the lulav and esrog in hand for the last time and recite the blessing Al netilas lulav and we wave in all six directions – the four compass points and up and down in the order of one’s custom. We hold the Four Species in our hand as we recite the whole Hallel. At Hodu and Ana Hashem we again wave the lulav in the customary manner.
Some congregations (Nusach Sefarad and some Ashkenaz) are accustomed to say Hoshanos after Hallel while others (most Ashkenaz) say it following Mussaf. For Hoshanos we remove all the Sifrei Torah from the Ark, keep the Four Species in our hand, and continue to recite the Hoshanos, but on this last day we surround the bimah not once as we do on each day of Sukkos but seven times – saying all the Hoshanos we said on the previous days.
When we reach Ta’aneh Emunim, we put away the Four Species and take the “willow branches” (the chabata, which is a bunch of 5 willows bound together). At the conclusion of Hoshanos we bang the chabata on the ground. Chazzan then recites Kaddish Tiskabbel. The congregation says Shir shel Yom and LeDavid Hashem Ori, followed by respective Mourner’s Kaddish recitations.
We remove one Sefer Torah from the Ark and we call 4 aliyos (Kohen, Levi, Yisrael, Yisrael). We read in Parashas Pinchas (Numbers 29:26-34). The 4th aliyah repeats verses 29:29-34.
We then Ashrei U’va’letziyon, Ye’hallelu as we return the Sefer Torah to the Ark and chazzan recites half-Kaddish. We say the silent Shemoneh Esreh of Mussaf of Shalosh Regalim. Following the repetition, we say the Hoshanos (most Ashkenaz – see above for procedure.) following which the chazzan recites Kaddish Tiskabbel.
We then conclude with [most Ashkenaz] Ein Ke’Elokeinu, followed by KaddishD’rabbanan, then Aleinu, Shir shel Yom, LeDavid Hashem Ori and their respective Mourner’s Kaddish recitations.
Mincha: usual erev Yom Tov tefilla – weekday Shemoneh Esreh with mention of Sukkos. Following chazzan’s repetition, Kaddish Tiskabbel, then Aleinu (Nusach Sefarad say LeDavid Hashem Ori), followed by Mourner’s Kaddish.
We make an eruv tavshilin in order to be able to prepare food for the Sabbath on Yom Tov.
As we recite Yizkor on Shemini Atzeres we light candles for the departed souls before we light the Yom Tov candles which are to be lit twenty minutes before Shekia (sunset), at 6:27 p.m. (N.Y.C. E.D.T.)
Maariv: usual tefilla of Shalosh Regalim. We add Va’yedabber Moshe, the Shalosh Regalim and we make mention of Shemini Atzeres. Kaddish Tiskabbel, Aleinu and LeDavid Hashem Ori. (Nusach Sefarad said LeDavid, following Mincha) and Mourner’s Kaddish recitals.
Minhag Sefarad make the hakafos on the night of Shemini Atzeres as well as on the night of Simchas Torah.
Kiddush is Yom Tov text of Shalosh Regalim: Asher bachar banu: Mekkadesh Yisrael VeHazemanim. Since Shemini Atzeres is considered a new Yom Tov, we add the beracha of Shehecheyanu. However, though most still eat in the sukkah because of sefeka deyoma (lit. “a doubt regarding the day” – as in this regard only, the eighth day is possibly the seventh day.) Regarding the other days of Sukkos, in reference to the mention or their sacrifices in both the Torah reading and the Shemoneh Esreh of Mussaf, we treat each day with a “doubt regarding the day.” But we do not say the blessing Leishev basukkah as we no longer refer to this Yom Tov as Sukkos. We do continue the custom of replacing the salt with honey, into which we dip our challah at the blessing of Hamotzi.
Thursday morning: Shacharis as usual with the following exceptions: chazzan begins at HaKel instead of at Shochen Ad. The Shemoneh Esreh is that of Shalosh Regalim. Following chazzan’s repetition we say the entire Hallel followed by Kaddish Tiskabbel. (Nusach Sefarad then proceed with Shir shel Yom, LeDavid Hashem Ori and their respective Kaddish recitations.)