Uncategorized admin | 21 Aug 2008 02:33 am
Symbolism of Lulav and Etrog
Several explanations have been mentioned as to the significance of the mitzvah of the lulav and etrog.
1. The 4 species which require a fertile environment to grow are in stark contrast to the arid conditions in the dessert. Through the ritual of the four species we demonstrate our gratitude to the Al-mighty who delivered the Jewish people to the promised land of Israel via the desert.
2. They symbolize the unity of the people of Israel. Each specie represents a different character trait: The etrog, having both smell and taste, symbolizes the righteous individual who has both good deeds and scholarship. The lulav, having only taste, represents the individual who has only scholarship. The hadas, having only pleasant smell, symbolizes the individual who posesses only good deeds. And finally, the arava, lacking both smell and taste, represents the individual who lacks both good deeds and Torah learning. By binding them together we declare that just as the mitzvah can not be performed unless they are all present, by the same token the unity of the Jewish can be achieved only by accepting each and every Jew.
3. The arba minim symbolizing the human organs in the worship of the Al-Mighty: The etrog shaped like the heart – represents common sense; the lulav shaped like the spine – signifies that one should devote their entire body in service to the Al-Mighty; the hadas shaped like the eye – indicates that the eyes should always be careful regarding what they see; and the arava shaped like the lips – implying that human speech should be governed by holy and righteous values.