Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
Is there a deeper meaning to the mitzvah of the Four Species on Sukkot? I want to connect with it in a meaningful way, not just feel like I’m shaking a fruit with some branches.
Four Species For Four Body Parts
There are many ideas represented by the Daled Minim (four species). One of the more well-known ones (Vayikra Rabbah 30:14) is that they correspond to four parts of the body. By performing the mitzvah of taking and shaking them, we rededicate our body to the service of Hashem, an act especially fitting immediately after Yom Kippur, when we start with a clean slate.
The etrog (citron) represents the heart, the lulav (palm branch) the spine, the hadassim (myrtle branches) the eyes, and the aravot (willow branches) the lips. By taking them all together, we proclaim our commitment to open our hearts to Hashem (God) and to our fellow man and refine our character, to align our actions with His will, to guard our vision and look kindly upon others, and to refrain from negative speech, using our words only for mitzvot. In the same spirit, on Hoshana Rabba we beat the aravot on the ground, as if striking our mouths and declaring: no more evil speech!
Many Types, All Unified
Chazal (ibid 12) teach that the Daled Minim (also referred to as “lulav and etrog,” being that the hadassim and aravot are tied together with the lulav) also represent four types of Jews. The etrog, with its pleasant taste and fragrance, represents those with Torah and good deeds; the lulav, with taste but no fragrance, represents those with Torah but lacking deeds; the hadassim, fragrant but without taste, represent those with deeds but little Torah; and the aravot, devoid of taste and fragrance, represent those lacking both. Combining all the four species together shows the achdut (unity) of all types of Jews.
Sukkot is a most fitting time to express this unity, building on the oneness achieved on Yom Kippur, when we removed negative feelings toward others and sought forgiveness from everyone. At the same time, because we all did teshuvah (repentance) and received atonement on Yom Kippur, it is now easier to accept one another.
Furthermore, Sukkot is a time when achdut among the Jewish people is especially important. As the third of the Shalosh Regalim (the three pilgrimage festivals), Sukkot represents the culmination of our journey toward closeness with Hashem. This process can be compared to a marriage: Pesach marks the kiddushin (dedication ceremony in marriage), Shavuot the chuppah, and Sukkot the yichud room – the private space where Hashem and Klal Yisrael (the Jewish nation) are united. The sukkah, which reminds us of the Ananei Hakavod (the cloud of glory), when Hashem surrounded us in the midbar (desert), sets us apart from the world, providing a private connection with Hashem.
Hashem Draws Close When We Stand Together
But the closeness we experience in this holy abode depends on our unity. When we are united, Hashem draws near; when we are divided, He distances Himself. For this reason, the Beit Hamikdash (temple) was destroyed – because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred among the Jewish people. The Beit Hamikdash is the ultimate expression of Hashem’s closeness to us, and because we were distant from each other, He distanced Himself from us. This is why the expression of achdut represented by taking the daled minim is so appropriate on Sukkot.
Then We Shake It All Around
Beyond simply holding the four species, we also perform na’anuim, shaking them in all six directions—forward, backward, right, left, up, and down. The Talmud (Sukkah 37b) explains that this is to acknowledge Hashem as the Creator of heaven and earth, and master of all directions on Earth.
The Gemara (Talmud) adds that this also serves to ward off harmful winds from every direction and to protect against damaging dew from above. The holy seforim further explain that each direction carries its own unique spiritual and physical influence. By shaking the Daled Minim toward each one, we help bring its particular blessing.
But in order for the na’anuim to have their full effect, bringing blessing and protection, we need to have in mind the ideas mentioned above, along with reaffirming the commitments we made on Yom Kippur.
In Short
The mitzvah of the Daled Minim expresses our rededication of our entire selves after Yom Kippur to serving Hashem. It also expresses the unity of the Jewish people, befitting our closeness to Him on Sukkot. Shaking them in all directions acknowledges Hashem as Master of heaven and earth, and provides protection and blessing.
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