Four Species

4 species

Along the main street of Nahariya merchants line up with sets of the Four Species.  They are there only till the afternoon when the feast begins.  The prices vary and so are the quality of the items; all are considered Kosher by the Rabbis but some are more so then others.  I bargained them down as much as I could and brought the four items to the boys who are in our care.  Together, we learned what they are and their names, we smelled and touched and almost tasted but not quite. 

The Command:

"And you shall take the fruit of the citrus trees for yourselves on the first day, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the valley. And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. "

The four species are a picture of the nation of Israel:

1. Etrog = fruit of the citrus tree and it looks like a giant lemon.  It has taste and smell.  It represents the people of Israel that follow the laws of the Torah and do good deeds

2.  Palm Leaves = has taste but no smell.  These represent the people who have Torah knowledge but do not do good deeds.

3. Hadas, myrtle = has smell and no taste.  The Hadas represent people who do good deeds but don't have the knowledge of the Torah.

4.  Arava, Water Willows = has no taste and no smell.  The branches represent those who do not have the Torah knowledge nor do they do good deeds.

When all four are bunched together during the Sukkot Feast, they become a representation of the entire nation.  The mixture allows for all to be cover as a holy nation, one that smells well with doing good deeds and taste well with the knowledge of the Torah.  As one nation it rejoices before God seven days.

283rd Day of Praise -

I thank you God that each of your commands brings us closer to you as individuals and as a nation.  Praise you Lord for the prevision and teaching of the Torah which include the knowledge of God and the directions for doing good deeds.

Awe by God,

Orith