Into the Verse - A Parsha Podcast Sukkot: Why Do We Take the Lulav and Etrog? (Rebroadcast)
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Sep 26, 2023 The hosts dive into the mystery behind the Lulav and Etrog, asking why these plants bring joy during Sukkot. They explore the Torah's puzzling words on rejoicing and link the command to take the four species to the story of Eden. Through this connection, they reveal how these rituals shift our perspective of joy, recognizing the harvest as a divine gift. The discussion highlights the transformative power of acknowledging God's generosity, making the season truly meaningful.
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Joy Tied To Taking, Not Just Harvest
- The Torah links taking four plant species with rejoicing, not with harvest bounty alone.
- The specific plants and the command to 'take' imply a ritual that creates joy before God.
Linguistic Echo From Eden
- The phrase 'you shall take a fruit' echoes Eve taking from the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis.
- The Torah's choice of the word 'hadar' (beautiful) links Sukkot's taking to Eden's seductive taking.
Contrast Between Taking And Presence
- In Eden, taking the fruit led to sadness and hiding from God's presence.
- On Sukkot, taking the species leads to joy before God, signaling a deliberate contrast with the Edenic act.