3 Adar II, 5774 (3/5/14) – Sukkah#30 {Eliezer}

The new Perek’s Mishna: ‘Lulav Hagazul’ speaks about what is Kosher/Pasul for using as a Lulav (frond from a date palm tree), Esrog (citron fruit), Haddasim (myrtle branches) and Aravos (willow branches). They cannot be dried out, used for Idol worship, stolen (ect..).

The Rambam says specifically that there is only 1 Mitzvah here (proof: all Me’akeiv each other). Even though there are many parts to it, it is one big concept. The four species represent a person’s spine, heart, eyes and lips. But each are only a portion of ONE person.

E’s Lesson#1: We need to realize that worlds and everything in them (just like we see ‘parts’ of a person) are all ONE. We may see many rainbowmatic colors refracted through the prism of our lives, but there is only one white eternal light.

R’ Yochanan in name of R’ Shimon ben Yochai: One many not use a stolen Lulav because of Mitzvah Haba’a B’aveira (a commandment that has been fulfilled by doing a transgression). Even though it may be technically “not stolen,” if the owner is then Meya’esh (gives up hope on ever getting it back and is now ownerless), Gemarah explains it would still not be permitted to use this Lulav (and you would not discharge your obligation nor fulfill the actual Mitzvah).

E’s Lesson#2: Many times, an action may be done “by the book,” but still misses the essence of what it is really about. Do not just “do” what should be done begrudgingly, because then the one you are helping does not really feel helped at all. When you are dismissed from the obligation to eat outdoors during the Holiday, ‘do not kick the Sukkah on the way out.’