B"H

Thursday, Tishrei 13, 5784 / September 28, 2023

On Sukkot, which begins this Friday night, we perform the mitzvah of Sukkah and the mitzvah of the Four Kinds. The mitzvah of the Four Kinds is performed only during the day, on the six weekdays, not on Shabbat.

The mitzvah of eating in the Sukkah applies during the day and night each of the Sukkot days, also on Shabbat.  

The mitzvah of the Four Kinds performed on Sukkot represents the idea of unity, which we mentioned yesterday. Here is how: 

The Talmud tells us that the Etrog (citrus), contrary to other fruits, can grow on its tree from year to year, "uniting" the four seasons and deriving nourishment from all of them.  The sign of a kosher Lulav (palm branch) is that its leaves are "together".  If the leaves are spread apart from each other, the Lulav is not kosher.  The leaves on the Hadasim (myrtle branches) grow three "together" from the same source on the Hadas branch.  Finally, the Aravot (willow branches) are described in the Talmud as "growing together in groups." This is the special lesson of the Sukkot holiday and its mitzvot, the idea that we are ALL united and unity is our strength.

This lesson is very important at this time, after Yom Kippur, as we enter the New Year.

Q.   Why do we hold the Lulav in the right hand and the Etrog in the left?

A.   Because the Lulav comes together with the Hadasim and Arovot, thus it has three of the four species of this mitzvah. As a result, we hold them in the right hand, which is usually the stronger and considered the more special hand. However, the Etrog, is held alone in the left hand.

Another reason: The Blessing for this mitzvah is: “Blessed are you G-d, our God, king of the universe, Who has sanctified us through His commandments and has commanded us on the mitzvah of Lulav.” Because the blessing mentions the Lulav, we hold the Lulav in the right hand.

Q.  The holiday of Pesach (Passover) commemorates the miracle of the Exodus.The Shavuot holiday recalls the miracle of the Giving of the Torah. What miracle does the holiday of Sukkot commemorate?   

A.  One of the great miracles which G-d performed for the Jewish people during their forty years in the desert, was surrounding them with His Clouds of Glory. They protected them from the heat and the elements which would have made their stay in the desert unbearable. The clouds also protected them from enemies who wanted to harm them. Also, their clothes, during the forty years, were cleaned through these clouds. The clouds surrounded them and protected them. It is this miracle we celebrate on Sukkot. It is also a reminder today that G-d looks after our needs and protects us.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY