Take Sukkot, for example, the Feast of Tabernacles, a joyous holiday where we dwell in temporary shelters, remembering our ancestors' journey through the wilderness. But it's not just about building a sukkah! We also have the lulav and etrog – the four species. What’s the deal with those, and why are they so specific?
The Book of Leviticus – Vayikra in Hebrew – instructs us to take "on the first day the fruit of a pleasant tree, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook" (Leviticus 23:40). But what exactly does that mean? How do we interpret these instructions? That's where the Rabbis of the Midrash step in.
Vayikra Rabbah, a classical midrashic compilation, dedicates significant attention to this verse. "On the first day," it emphasizes, referring to the daytime, not nighttime, and even on Shabbat! But, crucially, only the first day of Sukkot overrides Shabbat when it comes to these rituals. That's pretty specific!
Now, what about this "fruit of a pleasant tree" – pri etz hadar? What qualifies as "pleasant?" Rabbi Ḥiyya offers a fascinating interpretation: it's a tree whose trunk and fruit taste the same. And what fruit fits that description? The etrog – the citron. Hadar itself, according to Ben Azai, hints that the fruit "dwells" (hadar) on its tree from year to year. Aquila, a proselyte who famously translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek, even connected hadar to dwelling (dar) on water. All suggesting the etrog with its unique characteristics.
Next, we have "branches of date palms" – kapot t’marim. Rabbi Tarfon believed these branches should be bound – kafut. If the leaves start to separate, bind them back to the spine, he advised. Attention to detail matters!
What about “a bough of a leafy tree?" Well, it must be a myrtle, a tree whose leaves cover its branch, according to the Rabbis. Simple enough, right?
And finally, "willows of the brook" – arvei nahal. The text specifies "brook," but what about willows from valleys or mountains? The verse itself answers this question, because the plural "willows" implies that different types of willows may be used, not just those from a brook. Abba Shaul goes even further, explaining that the plural alludes to two mitzvot involving the willow branch: one for the four species, and another for the Temple service, separate from the four species. (Mishna Sukkah 4:5).
But how many of each do we need? Rabbi Shimon provides a precise count. "Fruit of a pleasant tree" – one etrog. "Branches of date palms" – one lulav. Even though kapot is plural, it's written without a vav (a Hebrew letter often used as a conjunction), so it's understood as singular. "A bough of a leafy tree" – three myrtle branches. The word "tree" in the phrase is seen as extra, indicating the number three. And "willows of the brook" – two boughs. And one of the myrtle branches must not be severed, though Rabbi Tarfon disagrees, saying even severed branches are valid.
So, what do we take away from all this? It's not just about mechanically fulfilling a commandment. It's about delving into the details, uncovering layers of meaning, and connecting to a tradition that spans generations. It's about appreciating the nuances of language and the wisdom of the Rabbis who sought to understand God's will. It's about taking these seemingly simple items – an etrog, a lulav, myrtle branches, and willow branches – and transforming them into powerful symbols of unity, remembrance, and joy during the festival of Sukkot. And perhaps, just perhaps, understanding a little bit more about ourselves and our connection to something far greater.