Page 27 - HaMizrachi Sukkot 5783 USA

A Time to Reap:

The Arba’a Minim and Chag HaAsif

nd you shall take for also of great significance to our lives. and Shavuot you are busy gathering Rabbanit
yourselves… the fruit of Chag HaSukkot is also Chag HaAsif, the grain. But now you are free…” (Rabbi
goodly trees, branches festival of the harvest, and the mitzvah Yosef Bechor Shor, Vayikra 23:40). Sharon Rimon
"Aof palm-trees, and of the four species is clearly related
boughs of leafy trees, and willows to the agricultural aspect of Sukkot: Joy in this year’s produce:
of the brook” (Vayikra 23:40). The “When you have gathered in the yield At the time of harvest, man recognizes
most familiar explanation for this of your land, you shall observe the that the grain grown that year is from
mitzvah is that each of the four species festival of Hashem… And you shall G-d, and he rejoices and thanks G-d
represents a certain type of person, take for yourselves on the first day for it. Taking several kinds of plants
and so we bind these four species the fruit of goodly trees, branches of that represent the crop, and rejoicing
together to symbolize the necessity palm-trees, and boughs of leafy trees, in them before G-d, is the proper way
of all of them for the wholeness of the and willows of the brook and you shall to thank G-d for the crop. The etrog
people of Israel: rejoice before Hashem your G-d seven represents fruit, the lulav represents
“Pri etz hadar – this is Israel; just as the days” (Vayikra 23:39–40). fruit trees, hadassim represent fragrant
etrog has a good taste and scent, so too There are several aspects of Chag plants, and aravot represent non-fruit
among Israel are found people who HaAsif, which are reflected in the bearing trees.
possess both Torah and good deeds. taking of the four species. Prayer for rain and produce:
Kapot temarim – this is Israel; just as
a date tree has a good taste but no Calm at the end of the agricultural Alongside joy and gratitude for last
year's crop, we also look forward to
scent, so too among Israel are found year and the Days of Judgment: next year, and pray it will be blessed.
people who possess Torah but not good Rabbi Yosef Bechor Shor sees the four On Sukkot we bring the water libation
deeds. V’anaf etz avot – this is Israel; just species as “bouquets of flowers” that and begin to pray for rain, which
as the hadas has a good scent but no decorate our lives and make them
taste, so too among Israel are found more pleasing. Dealing with the four allows for growth and existence.
Rabbeinu Bechayei sees the four
people who possess good deeds but species is a sign of luxury, an activity species as part of the prayer for rain:
not Torah. V’arvei nachal – this is Israel. that only a person free from the
Just as the aravah has neither a good stresses of making a living can afford “These four species grow through
taste nor a good scent, so too among himself. Until Sukkot, everyone was water and require more watering
Israel are found people who possess preoccupied with agricultural work than other fruit. Therefore, we are
neither Torah nor good deeds. Said the and the fear of judgment of the High commanded on Sukkot, the time of
Holy One, blessed be He: To destroy Holidays. At the end of this season, the water libation and the day of
them is impossible; rather, bind them a person begins to feel physical and judgment for the upcoming year’s rain,
together as one and they will atone for spiritual calm and contentment, a to please G-d with the four species
one another” (Midrash HaGadol, Vayikra feeling expressed through the four which represent water…” (Rabbeinu
23:40). species: Bechayei, Vayikra 23:40).
Along with the beautiful midrashim, “So that you will be seen as emerging These three aspects of the four species
it is worth paying attention to the meritorious from the courthouse, explain, together, one unified process.
simple layer of the mitzvah, which is so that you will be seen as princes We pause to reflect on the year just
carrying beautiful and scented fruit completed, we express thanks for the
in your hand, strolling joyously with abundance we have received, and
branches for seven days... On Pesach from this we recognize that we must,
once again, pray to G-d for abundance
and blessing in the year ahead.
Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach and
is Content Editor for the HaTanakh website.

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