[Avodah] Arba Minim

[R Wolberg]

In doing research on the arba minim, I've come up with the following: 
ESROG  The citron fruit is slow-growing and tends to be short-lived...
The fruit has a very thick skin. It is very
<http://www.answers.com/topic/fragrant> fragrant and was valued in ancient
times for its  <http://www.answers.com/topic/aroma> aroma and its fragrant
peel oil, used in perfumes and as a  <http://www.answers.com/topic/moth>
moth repellent. If citrons are allowed to fully ripen on the tree they will
be very aromatic. The citron tree is highly sensitive to frost; does not
enter winter dormancy as early as other Citrus species.
Application: We Jews have developed a very thick skin over the years. In
spite of that, we can be fragrant, and if need be, we can repel our
adversaries. We are also a warm people and very sensitive to cold
personalities.
LULAV     Palm leaves are prominent and have a characteristic shape. Palms
are a  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monophyly> monophyletic group of
plants, meaning that the group consists of a common ancestor.
 
Application: Jews have made their mark on humanity and have been quite
prominent with unique characteristics. Of course, Abraham is our common
ancestor.
 
HADASSIM    Myrtle leaves exude an aromatic and refreshing smell somewhat
reminiscent to myrrh or eucalypt; the taste is very intensive, quite
disagreeable and strongly bitter.
 
Application: We certainly have permeated civilization with an aromatic and
refreshing scent. However, as a means of protection and self-preservation,
we've distanced ourselves from those who were out to harm us by employing a
strongly bitter taste. 
 
ARAVOS   The Willows are a family of trees and shrubs which differ greatly
in size and habit of growth but are very much alike in other respects.
Their roots are remarkable for their toughness, size, and tenacity of life.
 
Application: Although we are not monolithic and differ greatly in many
areas, we are nevertheless much alike in other respects. Our foundation is
also remarkable for its toughness and tenacity of life. I am reminded about
the tefillin. The Shel Yad has one piece of parchment with the four
different Torah passages, but the shel rosh has four separate parchment
compartments. What it teaches is that when it comes to thinking, we can
think independently and disagree with one another. However, when it comes to
action, we are unified (or at least, should be). So though we differ in
ideas we are very much alike in our ultimate goals.
 
Richard Wolberg
 
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