It's more than just a fragrant fruit; according to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, it’s a symbol, a reflection of something truly profound.
The sages of the Mishnah, in discussing the laws of the etrog, declared that if its peduncle – or even, according to some versions, its nipple – was removed, or if significant scarring marred its surface, it became unfit for ritual use (Mishnah Sukkah 3:6 and BT Sukkah 35b). Why such strictness? The Tikkunei Zohar explains that the etrog represents the Shekhinah, the divine presence. And about the Shekhinah, the Song of Songs (4:7) tells us: "All of you is beautiful, my beloved, and there is no defect in you." The etrog, therefore, must be whole and unblemished to properly symbolize this divine perfection.
But Sukkot isn't just about the etrog, is it? We also have the lulav, the palm branch. The Mishnah (Sukkah 3:1) states that if the leaves of the lulav are separated, it’s unfit. What’s the significance of this? The Tikkunei Zohar connects the lulav to the concept of unity and binding. It represents the person who "cuts off the shoots," implying someone who disrupts connection and wholeness. The lulav, in contrast, is about holding everything together.
Why is this unity so important? The Tikkunei Zohar reveals that the lulav embodies the ḥaiy (חי), the "life-force" of all the worlds. Interestingly, the numerical value of ḥaiy is 18, which corresponds to the 18 vertebrae of the spine. Think about that for a moment. The spine is what holds us upright, what allows us to move and function. Similarly, the lulav represents the vital force that sustains all of existence. This is why the sages of the Mishnah teach that the lulav is like a spine (Vayiqra Rabbah 30:14).
So, when we hold the lulav and etrog together during Sukkot, we're not just performing a ritual. We're connecting to the divine presence, embracing wholeness, and tapping into the very life-force that animates the universe. It's a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all things, and our role in maintaining that vital connection. What does it mean to you to hold that kind of symbol in your hands?