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Is there any significance to the four species, besides the unity thing?

by Rabbi Yossi Marcus

  

Library » Holidays » Sukkot » Four Species | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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Yes.

  • Sukkot is the start of the rain season in the Mediterranean region. In fact, the Hoshanot recited on every day of the holiday are primarily supplications for bountiful rain, and shortly after Sukkot, we start including the request for rain in the Amidah prayers. We therefore take Four Species of vegetation – species which are especially dependent on abundant rain – and ask G-d to supply us with plenty of rain in the upcoming winter.
  • The four species symbolize various aspects of ourselves, which we purify through fulfilling the Mitzvah of the four species. The shape of the Etrog resembles the heart and therefore purifies the heart from any ill thoughts it may have had throughout the year. The Myrtle’s leaves resemble the eyes and therefore purify the eyes from any impure images it may have taken in. The Willow leaves resemble the lips and therefore purify the lips from any negative speech that may have passed through its doors. The Lulav resembles the spine and reminds us to stand steadfast and upright, proud to serve our Father in Heaven.
  • The Midrash (Vayikra 30) says that each of the four species symbolizes G-d and cites four different verses where G-d is described using the imagery of one of the four species: Pri Eitz Hadar/Etrog1, "You are attired with majesty and beauty (Hadar)"; Lulav/Palm2, "The righteous one flourishes like the palm"; Hadasim/myrtles3, “He stands amid the myrtles"; Aravot/Willows4, "Praise Him who rides in Aravot".

[Ed. note: Also read "What is the reason for shaking the Four Species in all directions?" and "What is the significance of the Four Species?"]

Footnotes

  • 1. Psalms 104:1 (The Etrog is biblically refrenced as Hadar)
  • 2. Psalms 92:13
  • 3. Zechariah 1:8
  • 4. Psalms 68:5

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Mitzvah
(pl. Mitzvot). A commandment from G-d. Mitzvah also means a connection, for a Jew connects with G–d through fulfilling His commandments.
Sukkot
A seven day autumn festival commemorating the miracle of the Heavenly Clouds which enveloped the Jews while traveling in the desert for forty years. On this holiday we dwell in makeshift booths and shake the Four Species.
Etrog
A citron; a greenish-yellow citrus fruit. We are required to take an Etrog on the holiday of Sukkot and shake it together with a palm branch, a myrtle and a willow.
Amidah
Highlight of every prayer, recited silently while standing. Weekday Amidah consists of nineteen blessings, Sabbath and holiday Amidah contains seven blessings.
Lulav
A palm branch. One of the Four Species we are required to take on the holiday of Sukkot. We shake it together with a citron, myrtle, and willow.
Midrash
(Pl. Midrashim). Non-legal material of anecdotal or allegorical nature, designed either to clarify historical material, or to teach a moral point. The Midrashim were compiled by the sages who authored the Mishna and Talmud (200 BCE-500 CE).
Four Species
There is a Biblical command to take "Four Species" on the autumn holiday of Sukkot. These species are: palm branch, citron, myrtle and willow. It is customary to shake these species to all directions.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.
Hoshanot
Special prayers recited during the morning prayers throughout the holiday of Sukkot. During a portion of this prayer, the congregants, while holding their "Four Kinds," encircle the reading table of the synagogue.