A widely cited tradition (Rosh Hashanah 16b) teaches that God opens three books on Rosh Hashanah. In one, the truly righteous are immediately inscribed for life. The thoroughly wicked are immediately condemned. Individuals of a middling quality (not totally good, not totally evil – There are so many of us!) are inscribed in a third book for further heavenly review. This imagery is the source of the Rosh Hashanah greeting: “L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu – May you be inscribed for a good year.”
The books “inscribed” on Rosh Hashanah are given a Divine “seal” on Yom Kippur. Thus, the Yom Kippur greeting “Ketivah V’Chatimah Tovah – Wishing you a favorable inscription and seal.”
Judgments issued on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur are held in abeyance until the Divine Books are closed… on Hoshana Rabbah – observed today (Sefer Ha-Manhig, Hilchot Etrog, OH 38).
Hoshana Rabbah is the seventh day of Succot; the final day of Chol Ha-Moed; i.e., Erev Shemini Atzeret. The night Hoshana Rabbah begins is customarily spent in study – much as on Shavuot.
Even after the intense spiritual work of the High Holy Days, our fate – our destiny – is not unalterable. Hoshana Rabbah insists: we can always further refine ourselves and our behavior. Repentance and study continue.
The books “inscribed” on Rosh Hashanah are given a Divine “seal” on Yom Kippur. Thus, the Yom Kippur greeting “Ketivah V’Chatimah Tovah – Wishing you a favorable inscription and seal.”