The fall days are upon us, leaves changing color, crispness in the air and the end of the summer growing season. In many traditions, harvest holidays are an annual occurrence, and we see them in almost every country around the world.
In our Jewish tradition, we celebrate the holiday of Sukkot. It is both a time of thanksgiving and a time of remembrance. Sukkot is marked by the building of sukkahs, temporary outdoor dwellings with roofs that allow the stars to still be visible. In historical tribute to the 40 years that the Israelites lived in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt, many families have meals, and even sleep, within the sukkah during this seven-day holiday.
Two key symbols of the holiday are the lulav and the etrog. The lulav is a palm frond that is bound with three myrtle branches and two willow branches. The etrog is a citron, a large, fragrant fruit that resembles a lemon. Combining these two items, the lulav and the etrog is referred to as the “four kinds,” a unification of four diverse items into a meaningful whole.
There are both traditional and contemporary ways to view these symbols. One important way is to note that these four items are each individually unique and powerful and yet, when bound together, they create a stronger whole. Just as we, human beings with many different gifts and challenges, are far stronger when we support one another.
One may also see each of the four kinds as individual symbols. The palm branch, the center of the lulav, stands straight and tall, reminding us to stand strong and yet to be flexible in our journeys. The willow leaves bring to mind an image of lips, encouraging us to use our mouths to teach, to inspire, to laugh and to connect. Myrtle leaves are symbols of our eyes, using our eyes to look inward with honesty and outward with a focus on possibilities. Our etrog may be seen as our hearts and minds, encouraging us to use our minds, our hearts, our energy and our strength to create a better world for all.
As we look to the change of seasons, to the seasons of nature that echo the seasons of our lives, we remember that there are always opportunities for growth, for renewal, for kindness and for rededication. May this be a time of reflection and peace for all.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
