Rabbi Howard Morrison

Many of our religious observances are conducted indoors - in our homes and in our synagogues. We generally do not like to create a public spectacle of our religious experiences. We behave modestly and try not to call attention to ourselves when we perform Mitzvot.

There are some exceptions to this ideal. On Chanukah, it is a particular Mitzvah to publicize the miracle by placing our Chanukiyot where they can be seen by passerby.  Sukkot also has some aspects of taking our religious observances into the public square. Most of us are familiar with the practice of eating our meals and perhaps even sleeping in the Sukkah. However, this is not what I refer to in terms of a Sukkot public practice. After all, for many of us, the Sukkah is still private, as it is constructed in the privacy of a backyard or patio.

The Talmud records the custom in ancient Jerusalem where people carried their Lulavim into the street when they went to synagogue, when they visited the sick, and when they went to comfort mourners. Even today, many Jews carry their Lulavim in public. But the origin of why is quite amazing!

On Sukkot, we want to convey a message to the general public. In ancient Jewish life, the Lulav and Etrog were symbolic of weapons. The Lulav is likened to a spear, and the Etrog is likened to a pellet. They indicate that we are proud of our heritage, and that we are prepared to fight for the honor of our Torah, of our people, of our land, and our very existence. 

Sukkot is an important reminder that being proud Jews entails a public stance. If we do not stand up for ourselves, who will stand up for us? For most of us, we prefer to think of the four species as symbolic of agricultural gifts, as symbols of Jewish unity, as representations of the human body. While these metaphors are all true, perhaps this year in particular we need to associate the four species as defensive weapons; that we will defend ourselves when we are attacked; that we will never go down like a lamb at the altar. Sadly, but true, Israel has recently had to show us and the world through example the willingness to stand up assertively when certain nations and terror groups want to eradicate not only Israel but the existence of the Jewish people. 

We are in the midst of remembering the English anniversary of October 7^th 2023, which has come and gone, and its Hebrew anniversary of Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah, just over a week away. The Lulav and Etrog serve as great reminders for lessons learned.

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison