In
recent conversations about the current holiday of Sukkot, I've heard a
common theme: People understand that we build a hut, known as a sukkah,
and that we shake four species, known as lulav and etrog, but they want
to know why. "I get that it's a harvest thing but..." is a trailing
thought I've heard articulated repeatedly. So, before the holiday comes
to a close, here's my guide to the less commonly known aspects of
Sukkot.Lulav and Etrog
"And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days." (Leviticus 23:40.) Why these four species? And why does taking them to "rejoice before God" mean "shake 'em!"?
Shake It For Sukkot: The Jewish holiday of Sukkot features the interesting ritual of shaking a lulav and etrog. Wondering what a lulav or etrog is? Wondering what the shaking is all about? Watch this video to find out.
There are a few theories on the origins of this ritual. My favorite, though not the one I'd teach my kids at religious school, is that it's a vestige of the pagan roots of our ancient religion, relating to fertility. It doesn't take much imagination to see the long lulav and the round etrog as representative of the human reproductive process, and that we thrust or shake them, well, I'll let you draw your own conclusions.
Continue reading.
Check out Jvillage’s High Holiday+
page. While you're at it, check out our High Holidays Holiday Spotlight Kit for ideas, crafts, recipes, etc.
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