We might shake it with the lulav, alongside the myrtle and willow branches, but 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, suggests it’s far more than just a ritual object.
According to the Tikkunei Zohar, the etrog represents the Lower Shekhinah, the divine feminine presence in the world. The verse from Leviticus (23:40) instructs us to take "the fruit of a hadar tree," and Kabbalists interpret this as a reference to the etrog. But why this fruit?
The Tikkunei Zohar draws a powerful analogy: The etrog is like the heart, specifically the left side of the heart, which corresponds to Gevurah, or Divine Strength and Judgment. The heart, the center of our being, the source of life… and it's connected to divine power and judgment. And here's where it gets even more interesting. Because of this connection to Gevurah, the Tikkunei Zohar instructs us to hold the etrog in our left hand. It’s a subtle but profound act, acknowledging the power and judgment inherent in the divine, holding it close, engaging with it directly.
But it's not just any etrog that will do. The Tikkunei Zohar emphasizes that the etrog must be complete, whole, with its pitam (the stigma, or the flower's pistil remnant still attached). Why? Because it connects to Jacob, who is described in Genesis (25:27) as tam, meaning "complete" or "perfect." This idea of completeness is crucial. Jacob, in his wholeness, serves as a model for our own spiritual aspirations.
Just as there should be no defect in Jacob "above" – meaning in his spiritual archetype – so too, there should be no blemish in the etrog. This echoes the verse from Song of Songs (4:7): "You are completely beautiful, my beloved, there is no blemish in you." The etrog, therefore, becomes a symbol of that flawless beauty, a reflection of the divine perfection we strive to connect with.
Ginzberg, in his monumental work, Legends of the Jews, expands on the idea of Jacob's perfection, portraying him as a figure of unwavering devotion and integrity. This reinforces the symbolic link between Jacob's character and the flawless nature of the ideal etrog.
So, the next time you hold an etrog, remember this: it's not just a fruit. It's a symbol of the divine feminine, a connection to divine strength, and a reminder of the wholeness we seek within ourselves, a reflection of Jacob's completeness and the flawless beauty described in the Song of Songs. It's a powerful image, isn't it? A tiny fruit, holding so much meaning, so much potential for connection. How might our experience of Sukkot change if we held this intention in mind?