Standing Strong

Isaiah 11:6

2 Thessalonians 2:15

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The Lulav and the Etrog

“Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches, and the boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the L-rd your G-d for seven days” (Lev. 23:40, NASB). These are the four species of Sukkot. This is the lulav and etrog. The lulav is made of a date palm branch, myrtle branches (“the boughs of leafy trees”), and willow branches. The etrog (“the foliage [in Hebrew it says fruit] of beautiful trees”) is a citrus fruit, specifically used at Sukkot. This fruit is not eaten at any point as it was consecrated by G-d to be used for a High Holy Day.

The lulav and etrog are presented before G-d as a wave offering. Each species is symbolic.

1. The Date Palm, since it produces dates, has flavor but no scent. This is likened to the individual who has book knowledge about the Torah but does not apply it to how he lives his life or shares it with others.

2. The Myrtle has a pleasant odor, but an no flavor. This is likened to the individual who has little learning behind their observance of the Torah; an individual for whom it is simply tradition.

3. The Willow has neither odor nor flavor. This is likened to an individual who both has no knowledge of the Torah and does not keep any of the commandments even through ritual.

4. The Etrog has both flavor and scent. This is likened to the individual who not only has knowledge of the Torah, but also lives the Torah.

 

On the final day of Sukkot, we beat the lulav on the ground until all the leaves have fallen off. This is a public declaration that we will not be like the palm, myrtle, or willow. That we will not be ignorant, knowledgeable but unobservant, or observant without knowledge of G-d’s commandments. That we will instead be like the etrog.

 

We also bury the etrog at the end of Sukkot. This is because to dispose of it in any other way would be disrespectful to G-d. So no using it as a dressing for a salad or the next day’s juice!