Sukkos is about unity. It’s about all of us coming together.
It’s the first night of Sukkos. Everyone sits together in the Sukkah. Our differences fade into the background, and we become one. As our Sages say, “All of Israel are worthy to sit in one Sukkah.”
In the morning, we begin the Mitzvah of the Four Kinds. Now the focus shifts to the diversity within our people.
The Esrog (citron) stands out with both a beautiful scent and a unique taste. The Lulav (date palm branch) reminds us of dates, which have a delicious taste but no aroma. The Hadassim (myrtle twigs) have a beautiful fragrance but no taste. The Aravos (willow twigs) have neither taste nor smell.
Taste can be compared to Torah study. We don’t just experience it from the outside. We internalize it, understand it, and make it part of ourselves. The performance of Mitzvos creates a beautiful “aroma” that can be felt by others.
Some Jews excel in both learning and practice. Others may be stronger in one or the other. And some may not stand out in either area. Yet the Mitzvah cannot be performed unless all four kinds are there.
That is the message: our strength comes from our unity. Every person matters.
Chassidic teachings take this idea even further. Each of the Four Kinds embodies unity in its own way.
The Esrog remains on the tree throughout the year, through different seasons and climates. It brings the seasons together. The leaves of the Lulav grow in pairs, united around the central spine. The leaves of the Hadassim grow in groups of three, united together. And the Aravos are united because they naturally grow close together, almost as a cluster.
The Rebbe points out that the unity expressed by the seemingly lowly Aravos is, in a certain sense, even more striking than the unity expressed by the other three.
The other three are united through their own structure or qualities. The Aravos, however, are united simply because they grow together with each other.
This gives us a powerful lesson. The so-called “simple Jew,” who may not be a scholar or known for extraordinary accomplishments, can have a unique ability to bring people together and help us grow together.
The Mitzvah of shaking the Four Kinds is performed every day of Sukkos, except Shabbos, when the Mitzvah is suspended.
The seventh day of Sukkos is Hoshana Rabba. On that day, we take five Aravos twigs on their own as part of the custom of Hoshanos.
The Sages established the calendar so that Hoshana Rabba can never fall on Shabbos. As a result, the ritual of the Aravos is never suspended.
The message is powerful: as important as it is to excel in Torah study and in the practice of Mitzvos, it is also essential to build and strengthen Torah-true unity.
Shabbat Shalom!
Chag Sameach!
Good Shabbos!
Good Yomtov!