Hello everyone,
This week in Hebrew School grade 4 we learned all about Sukkot. Here is a review of the material we covered. Please go over it with your child and be sure to experience Sukkot first hand by visiting as many Sukkahs as you can over the next weeks.
The Four Species:
We put four special plants together and shake them in all 6 directions on Sukkot. The four species are:
Lulav - Palm Branch
Esrog - Citron
Hadassim - Mytle branches (3)
Aravos - Willow branches (2)
Each object represents a different Jewish personality according to if the plant has taste or smell. Taste is an internal faculty so it represent Torah learning which is meant to effect us internally. Smell is an external faculty and represents Good Deeds which one does to an other.
Lulav has taste (the dates that grow on it) but no smell = Torah without Good Deeds
Esrog has taste and smell = Torah and Good Deeds
Hadassim have smell but no taste = Good Deeds without Torah
Aravos have neither = neither Torah or Good Deeds
The lesson is that all types are needed for the mitzvah just like all Jews need to be at peace with one another, no matter their level.
The mitzvah on Sukkot is also to live in the Sukkah. This could mean eating, drinking, reading or even sleeping. The mitzvah of Sukkot is unique in that it is the only mitzvah done with the whole body equally.
We ended our day making decorations for the Shul's Sukkah. Each student made at least one item to decorate the sukkah with. Then we went into the Sukkah, set up the decoration and did a dance off to prepare the celebration of this joyous holiday!
We are off next week, so see you in two!
Rabbi B
