The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a central text of Kabbalah, offers a fascinating parable that speaks directly to this feeling.

Imagine a king locked in a bitter dispute, a war even, with the "70 nations." This isn't just a local squabble; it's a battle on a grand scale. When asked who ultimately triumphed, the king doesn't offer a simple answer. Instead, he says: "Look at those who are depicted, with weapons of war in their hands, and you will know who has won the dispute." (Vayiqra Rabbah 30:2).

What does this mean? It’s not about brute force or a straightforward victory. It suggests that the true victor is revealed by who is still actively engaged, still fighting for what they believe in. It's a victory of perseverance, of continued effort, even when the outcome is uncertain. Think about that for a moment...

The Tikkunei Zohar then shifts gears, taking us into the realm of the lulav and etrog, those essential elements of the Sukkot holiday. The text delves into their symbolic meaning, particularly the etrog.

"And you shall take for yourselves, on the first day, the fruit of a stately tree..." This, the Tikkunei Zohar tells us, is the etrog. But it's not just a fruit; it's a symbol of the Shekhinah – the divine presence, the feminine aspect of God. More specifically, it represents the heart (Vayiqra Rabbah 30:14).

Now, picture the lulav – the palm branch – together with the three strands of myrtle (hadasim) and the two strands of willow (aravot). The Tikkunei Zohar beautifully explains that the heart, the etrog, is in the middle, and the other branches are arranged around it, like limbs surrounding a vital organ. In essence, the etrog, embodying the Shekhinah, is at the very center of this ritual, the heart of the matter.

So, what’s the connection between the war with the 70 nations and the Sukkot symbols? Perhaps it's this: the battle for meaning, for connection, for the divine presence in our lives, is an ongoing one. The etrog, as the heart, reminds us to keep our own hearts at the center, to keep striving for connection with the Shekhinah, even amidst the disputes and uncertainties of life.

The etrog as the Shekhinah. It’s a powerful image, isn't it? A reminder that the divine isn't some distant, unreachable entity, but something that resides within us, within our hearts. And just like the king's advice, it prompts us to examine what we hold most dear, what we are actively protecting and nurturing. Because that, perhaps, is where the real victory lies.