Page 42 - HaMizrachi Sukkot 5784 North America

Sukkot:

Reliving Aliyah

Rabbanit Shani Taragin

hough Pesach was always my The sukkot are reflective of our stages of Lastly, these species reflect different com-
favorite of the three regalim grow- Aliyah as demonstrated during the time of munities throughout Eretz Yisrael. The lulav
ing up in the Diaspora, since Shivat Tzion. “The whole community that represents the areas of deserts and valleys
Tmoving to Eretz Yisrael, Sukkot returned from the captivity made booths (e.g. Mitzpe Yericho, Ma’aleh Adumim); the
has taken its place. It seems natural that and dwelt in the booths – the Israelites hadassim grow primarily in the mountains
Sukkot should have always been the cele- had not done so from the days of Joshua (e.g. Gush Etzion, Golan); the arava by river
bratory “winner,” as simcha is mentioned son of Nun to that day – and there was banks (e.g. Beit Shemesh); and the etrog in
three times in its context. In addition to very great rejoicing” (Nechemia 8:17). Pro- irrigated fields (e.g. Rechovot, Ra’anana).
perfect weather conditions for sitting fessor Yehuda Felix notes that “not since
outside, Sukkot simultaneously marks the the days of Joshua the son of Nun had the Each day of Sukkot we circle the mizbe’ach
completion of our historical commemo- country enjoyed such an ample supply of or bima while holding the four species,
ration from Yetziat Mitzrayim-Har Sinai to building timber for the construction of leading up to seven rotations on Hosha-
Eretz Yisrael and our annual agricultural the booths in fulfillment of the biblical nah Rabbah. Some explain that we do this
cycle of the three festivals (barley-wheat- injunction” (Nature & Man in the Bible). to remember Israel’s miraculous victory
fruit). We are commanded to sit in huts after circling the walls of Yericho in a simi-
to remember our historical journey from The four species also express our stages lar manner (Yerushalmi, Sukkah ch.4). Rav
Egypt to the Land of Israel in the hut-rid- of national transition from exile to Aliyah, Yaakov Ettlinger (Aruch LaNer, Sukkah 45b)
den wilderness, and to celebrate with our akin to when we bring our bikkurim fruits explains that this is the basis of our hap-
agricultural fruits and branches – etrog, and recount our journey from nomads to piness and gratitude expressed on Sukkot
lulav, hadassim and aravot. The happiness Israeli citizens. The lulav represents our through a complete Hallel. Although we
of Sukkot is amplified through this dual first stage in the wilderness when we are grateful on Pesach and Shavuot as we
“closure” and offers us an opportunity dwelled in palm-covered huts for shelter recount the miracles of Yetziat Mitzrayim
to pause, remember and reflect on our ( ׁש ָּ מַמ תֹו ּ כ ֻס). The aravot remind us of the and Ma’amad Har Sinai, the primary praise
national and personal journeys of Aliyah Jordan River crossing (ֹוחי ִרְי תֹוב ְר ַע), abun- we offer G-d is for the miracles performed
to Eretz Yisrael. dant with willows along the border to Eretz in Eretz Yisrael, beginning with the victory
Yisrael. The hadassim are reminiscent of the of Yericho. We take our agricultural spe-
Interestingly, both mitzvot of Sukkot Land’s wild flora before the conquest and
express our agricultural and historical settlement. And the etrog? Just like the cies and relive our historical journey as we
dependence on G-d’s supervision as we fruits accompanying the recital of mikra celebrate entering Eretz Yisrael and choos-
transitioned from our transient state in bikkurim, the etrog is the culmination of ing communities blessed with different
the desert to our permanent homes in our historical process – the expression resources – then and now!
Eretz Yisrael. The sukkot (huts) remind us of of our G-d granted fruit harvest (Nogah
the shelter provided by Hashem through- HaReuveni, Nature in our Biblical Heritage)!
out our journey in the wilderness, and of
the practical means of dwelling in the The four species also symbolize the contin-
fields during harvest season in the Land. ued settlement of the land, reflecting the
The Ba’al HaRokeach teaches that the sukkot stages of agricultural growth and devel-
are reminiscent of the military huts we opment from the “lulav” (bark of a tree)
camped in during our years of siege and to the branches of the “hadas,” further
conquest of Eretz Yisrael, recalling the final developing leaves of the “arava” and finally
stage of our journey as we entered the the fruit of the “etrog.” Rambam notes that Rabbanit Shani Taragin
Land and fought for sovereignty. Rashbam these species encompass universal bless- is Educational Director of Mizrachi
explains that the sukkot remind us of our ings – the trees, leaves, herbs and fruit – a and the Director of the Mizrachi-TVA
nomadic years bereft of a Land, preventing historical reminder of leaving the barren Lapidot Educators’ Program.
us from feeling too smug and arrogant as wilderness bereft of water resources and
we recall our homeless past and appreci- fruit trees for the abundance of the Land A member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau
ate our Homeland and homesteads anew. of Israel (Moreh Nevuchim 3:43). mizrachi.org/speakers

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