Shabbat Sukkot: The Lulav & Our Need For Each Other
By Lydia Bachana
Shalom dear friends,
Our personal sukkah is built and the kids are decorating it as we speak. There’s always this special atmosphere in the air of joy and excitement. Kids tend to love camping, tents, and anything that gets us outdoors. The Sukkah, too, is such a special occasion. This beautiful little shaky booth we live in for a week makes up some of our favorite childhood memories.
Growing up abroad, my family made their own sukkah from sturdy wood and ropes, then decorated it with beautiful fabrics from Israel. We’d hang fruit in it which made it look like some cool orchard (at times the grapes would fall down, which gave us the giggles). The cool autumn air made us sit in our winter coats, but we still couldn’t wait to get out there multiple times a day.
In Israel there are these cool pre-made ‘sukkot’ (plural for ‘sukkah’) which come with a wide variety of fabrics. Some show the Old City of Jerusalem, while others are decorated with the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel. The cutest part are the homemade drawings and crafts kids proudly bring home from school where they’ve been learning about Sukkot for a few weeks. I love that the Biblical appointed times are not just another chapter in a school book which we read and then continue on; but, that this inheritance has truly been kept alive for so many generations. And how so? By not only telling a dry story, but by adding colorful crafts, interactive traditions, and special foods.
One of those special Sukkot-traditions is the waving of the ‘lulav’ from Leviticus 23:40. We closely hold this closed frond of the date palm tree along with myrtle, willow, and a citron. When bundled together, these Four Species are commonly referred to as ‘the lulav’. The Four Species symbolize four types of People: the sturdy thinker (lulav), the caring heart (citron), the explorer who never ceases to learn (mirtle), and the communicator who connects people (willow).
We wave the lulav in all directions, and then to the sky and then to the earth, to symbolize the unity of these four types. As well as the hope and the promise to Israel, that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
In Mark 4, Yeshua also mentions 4 types of people:
– The first type is pictured by the seed that falls closely to the way that has become hardened over time. This hardness makes it challenging for the seed of life to penetrate it, much like the person’s heart which became hardened by worldly traffic. Some of us have too much influence from this world. This makes it hard for the seed of life to take root. This type of person is in need of more of the citron (= heart).
– The second type is pictured by stony ground (verses 5-6). The soil seems soft, but underneath are some hidden rocks. Even though we’re seeking Him, there may be something impure or unresolved hidden within us, such as an impure motive, intention, purpose, or desire. This person is in need of more of the mirtle, to explore beneath the surface and within, with the goal and prayer to, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
– The third type is pictured by thorny ground (verse 7), where thorns choke the growth of life. This world is cluttered with a lot of responsibilities, challenges, and desires which catch our focus and attention. The culprit is never being fully satisfied with what we have, and society tells us that we want what’s better, newer, or just more ‘material stuff’. This type does “hear the word”, “but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (verse 19). This person is in need of the palm branch, in order to be sturdy no matter the never ending desires of this world, and to focus and “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
– The fourth type is pictured by the good earth (verses 8 and 20). A heart that’s set on Him and His Kingdom, riches and blessings, truth and mercy. Without worldly distractions, detours, or hidden impurities. To truly desire to progress His Kingdom and light, and to build bridges with others (‘even if they don’t believe exactly the way I do’). To realize that we have been given a unique set of gifts for a purpose as well as a limited amount of time on this earth, and that we are His laborers. The good earth is fully available for the growth of the divine life. This type is like the willow, and functions as a connector and a bridge-builder, who brings people together in honor and glory of His name and kingdom. The type who inspires and sparks His life within us, when we need it most. The person who reminds us of His goodness and hope, which is that, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) This type of person aims to connect all four types, like we hold the lulav united with both hands and close to our hearts.
During Sukkot, in this temporary booth, we’re reminded that we’re all incomplete, and we all add and complete one another. We hold the Four Species closely together to remember this unity, and to refocus on our aim to (re)unite together for the glory of His coming kingdom.