It revolves around the lulav.
Now, the lulav isn't just any palm branch. During the Jewish festival of Sukkot, this palm shoot, along with the etrog (citron), hadass (myrtle), and aravah (willow), becomes a central part of the celebration. But according to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a cornerstone of Kabbalistic literature, the lulav is far more than just a plant. It's a conduit, a channel for divine energy.
The Tikkunei Zohar tells us that the lulav embodies the ḥaiy, the very life-force, of all the worlds. This simple palm branch represents the vitality that sustains everything! And this vitality, this ḥaiy, is connected to the eighteen blessings we recite in our daily prayers. Eighteen, in Hebrew numerology, also spells out the word "ḥaiy," life!
But here’s where it gets even more fascinating. We don't just hold the lulav. We shake it. And we shake it in a specific way: eighteen times, in six directions – forward, backward, up, down, right, and left. Three shakes to each side. Why?
The Tikkunei Zohar explains that these six directions are "included in the body," specifically the Middle Pillar. Now, in Kabbalah, the Middle Pillar represents balance and harmony. It's the central channel through which divine energy flows. And what is the lulav called? It’s referred to as "lo lev" – "to him, a heart." The lulav, therefore, is intimately connected to our heart, to the very core of our being, and to this vital flow of divine energy. It helps to direct that energy!
And the number eighteen keeps popping up. We shake the lulav eighteen times upon first taking it. Then, we encounter the number eighteen twice in the phrase "Give thanks to Y”Y" (an abbreviation for God's name) at the beginning and end of Psalm 118. Finally, we find it again in the plea, "Please Y”Y, please save!" (Psalm 118:25). Add all those eighteen shakings together, four times, and what do you get? Seventy-two.
Now, seventy-two is another number loaded with significance in Kabbalah. It's associated with the seventy-two names of God, powerful divine attributes that are believed to have the power to heal and transform.
So, what does it all mean?
Perhaps it means that even the simplest rituals, the smallest actions, can be imbued with profound meaning. Perhaps it means that by shaking the lulav, by acknowledging these six directions and the flow of divine energy, we are not just performing a tradition, but actively participating in the vitality of the universe.
So, the next time you hold a lulav, remember: you're not just holding a palm branch. You're holding a connection to the life-force of the worlds. And with every shake, you're directing that energy, connecting to something far greater than yourself.