Hibbut Ha'Aravot

(5) How is the mitzvah of the willow [branches] done? There was a place below Jerusalem, and it is called Motzah. They would descend to there and gather from there large willow branches, and they would come and stand them upright on the sides of the altar, with their tips inclining over the alter. They would blow a tekiyah [a steady blast], and a teruah [a broken blast], and a tekiyah. Every day they would circle the altar one time and say, "We beseech you Hashem, redeem us, please; we beesech you Hashem, bring prosperity, please." Rabbi Yehudah says: [they would say,] "Ani vaho, bring redemption, please." [The literal meaning of this latter phrase, which perhaps contains hidden numerical meanings or names of Hashem, is unclear.] And on that particular day [i.e. the seventh days of willow ritual], they would circle the altar seven times. At the hour of their departure, what did they say? "Beauty for you, O altar! Beauty for you, O altar!" Rabbi Eliezer says: [they would say,] "For Hashem and for you, O altar! For Hashem and for you, O altar."

(6) As was done for it [for the willow ritual] on the weekdays, likewise was done for it on Shabbat, except that they would gather them [the willow branches] on the eve of Shabbat, and would place them into golden casks [filled with water], so that they would not wither. Rabbi Yochanan ben Beroka says: They would bring branches of palms, and beat them on the ground at the sides of the altar. And that particular day was called The Day of the Beating of the Branches.

(7) Immediately [following this], the children would loosen their lulavim and they would eat their citrons.