[Avodah] FW: Sukkah different to Esrog

[David Eisen]

RMB wrote:

>Thinking out loud:

>Taking an inferior esrog with which to thank HQBH for this year's crops is kind of like repeating Kayin's error.

>However, comfort in the Sukkah isn't what we are bringing to the encounter with the Almighty, it's what He brings to us. In the mishnah, rain is compared to the rav tossing the wine back in the eved's face; the emphasis on it being from Him.

>>>
I believe one of the aharonim similarly notes why the Torah first commands the mitzva of 4 minim followed by the mitzva of dwelling in a sukka, while the Mishna reverses the order by first teaching the laws of sukka followed by 4 minim. The answer given is that the 4 minim is the Jewish people's hakarat hatov for the ingathering of the year's crops, while the sukka reflects Hashem's appreciation to His nation that agreed to go in the desert and weather the inclement conditions and the protection Hashem provided via the sukkot; therefore, the Torah Shebikhtav emphasizes the initiative that comes from the people and His love in kind, whereas the Torah Sheba'al Peh written down by Hazal underscores the initiative that came from Hashem and our love in kind.

B'virkat HaTorah,
David


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