Page 12 - Mizrachi-RZC Sefer Berachot 5781

Hoshana Rabba: Unconditional Love
Rabbi Reuven Brand
Rosh Kollel, YU Torah MiTzion Kollel

On the seventh day of Sukkot we celebrate the ancient custom of
taking the Aravah in our hand - a unique means of connection with
Hashem, initiated millennia ago by the Nevi’im – and recite special
tefillot in which we ask Hashem, Hoshana - save us. Thus the
seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Rabba. We increase our
Tefillot as our tradition teaches that on this day is the Chatimat
Hadin- culmination of our judgment. After concluding the annual
Teshuva process, our Divine decree is sent out into the world. This
is why we approach Hashem in Tefillah with our Aravah in hand.

Yet, this seems highly incongruous. The Midrash teaches that the
Aravot refer to Israel. Just like a willow, has no smell and no taste,
so too Israel has among them people that have no Torah and have no
good deeds.
Why take a symbol of our unworthiness with us on this holiest day
of prayer? After our entire period of growth through Rosh Hashana,
Yom Kippur and Sukkot all we have to show for ourselves is an
empty willow? Shouldn’t we take the Lulav, which has delicious
fruit, and symbolizes our merits and victory over our spiritual
adversaries?
Perhaps we are meant to appreciate a deep lesson about our
relationship with Hashem. In our Yamim Noraim liturgy we refer to
Hashem as תוברע בכור - Who rides Aravot. While the simple
interpretation means that Hashem dwells on high, it can be
understood homiletically. Hashem is carried even by those who are
an Aravah- a willow devoid of taste and smell.
Hashem’s love for the Jewish people is unconditional. After
working on our relationship with Hashem with the performance of
many Mitzvot and strengthening our connection, our final plea to
Hashem on this ultimate day of the judgment is an appeal to his
love, which is רבדב היולת הניא - unconditional. Even though the
Aravah has no merits, it is still beloved by Hashem; we ask Hashem
to save us even if we are still undeserving.
Perhaps this is why the Aravah is celebrated specifically as the
concluding day of Sukkot- it is the pinnacle. The Aravah symbolizes
His unconditional love for us, independent of our fulfillment of
specific Mitzvot. This love is the pinnacle of our relationship, one
that sustains us throughout the year.