Keep Yo Connec to Israe

בס"ד TORAT MIZRACHI KEEP YOUR FAMILY'S Rabbi Hillel Van-Leeuwen CONNECTION TO ISRAEL STRONG Survival of the Weakest used to get frustrated each year source, is the most fitting tree through Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate Pesach when, on the last few days of Sukkot, which to show our absolute dependence together. Since Sukkot is followed by the I noticed how quickly the arava on rain, our primordial fear of famine year’s longest break between holidays, Ileaves lost their vitality, shriveled up and our inherent thirst for water – all it is imperative to raise awareness of and died. In my attempts to keep them of which are strongly felt in a desert our need for G-d’s loving, caring, pro- fresh like the beautiful hadas branches, land like Israel. tecting and providing hand in our daily I kept them rolled up in a wet towel lives while we are far from the Place He in the fridge, standing in a bucket of The Murbiyot branches of the arava, chose. The arava was selected, due to fresh water, even tucked away inside which naturally grow on the riverbanks its evident weakness, as the medium the freezer – but to no avail. Nothing and need lots of water to survive [the through which to convey this important Starting at seemed to really work. Recently, how- one growing in my own back yard con- value in Jewish life. In that sense, I’m ever, I have changed the way I look at sumes three times as much water as the happy to see my aravot begin to dry. only $5000 those pale-green dried leaves. Here’s rest of my fruit trees], are placed at the why. corners of the altar, not far from the I once saw a rationalist bumper sticker large fire burning on top of it. Within that read “Prayer is for Wimps.” True At first glance, the arava is indeed the a matter of minutes the fresh, beauti- enough. Prayer can be such a power- least impressive of the Four Species. fully-shaped leaves darken, twist and ful tool and connect us to G-d only FULFILL 30 Mitzvot that are dependent upon According to our Sages, the arava is dry, hanging there lifeless and misera- after we admit our own powerlessness the least worthy when compared to the ble in front of the massive celebrating and stand before Him with a genuine the land of Israel etrog, lulav and hadas. It has some value crowds. Apart from being a catalyst for feeling of constant need. This is what only if bound together with the other the upcoming Prayer for Rain recited on we learn from the arava. Indeed, the species, which are of higher impor- the last day of Sukkot, this sight serves secret of tefillah rests in the awe-inspir- tance and can therefore atone for it. as a symbolic reminder of our complete ing knowledge that we are absolutely OWN A PIECE OF PRIVATE LAND How surprising it is, therefore, to find dependence on G-d, and of our thirst dependent on G-d, every minute of IN THE CENTER OF ISRAEL two Sukkot practices focusing on the for Torah. every day. ENJOY your fruits, give to arava alone: the poor, share with relatives The same applies to the Chavata, the This is powerful. For truly attaching RECEIVE a fenced in field with a) the Murbiyot, the long arava branches beating of the arava on the floor. When ourselves to the Absolute Power rests – 5.5 meters tall – picked by a river out- seeing how easily even the fresh leaves on our understanding that we are abso- signage, irrigation systems, side Jerusalem and erected at the four fall off the arava branches, we are lutely powerless without Him. wheat, barley, grapes, etrog & USE your field and corners of the altar in the courtyard of reminded of our eternal state of mortal fruit trees Adama 613 welcome the Temple throughout the seven days helplessness. I personally try to apply center for your Bar Bat of Sukkot, with their ends bent onto the this idea to various aspects of Jewish Mitzvas and simchas top of the altar (Mishnah Sukkah 4:5), practice, which include humbling expe- VISIT with your kids and grandkids and b) the Chavata, the five aravot we riences such as dipping in a mikveh or at your field and perform the tie together and beat on the floor in shul the horrible weakness I feel at the end at the end of the Hoshanot on Hosha- of fast days. mitzvot with our farmers APPROVED by leading nah Rabbah, a custom originated by the halachik authorities Rav early Prophets (Rambam, Lulav 7:24). The need for such visual effects and physical actions to reinforce and ENJOY your own olive oil for Asher Weiss and Machon So here is a fresh look at the arava: impress spiritual messages into our Chanukah and Wine for kiddush Hatorah V'haaretz Sukkot is known as the “Judgement Day psyche is obvious. But it makes even & pick your own 4 minim for Rain” (Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:2), more sense if we remember that there and the arava, whose leaves are the fast- are six long months after Sukkot until Rav Hillel Van-Leeuwen is Head of Leader- est to dry once removed from a water all Jewish pilgrims gather again at the ship Development at World Mizrachi. Rabbi David Ziering 011972-544379365 . [email protected] 12 | YOUR LAND OF MITZVOT WWW.ADAMA613.COM.

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