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CROWNS ARE FOR KINGS

The end of the Succos holiday culminates with Simchas Torah, a celebration of our concluding the reading of the Torah and the restarting it up once again. But why are we celebrating the Torah at the conclusion of Succos and not on the holiday of Shavuous, which celebrates the receiving of the the Torah at Mount Sinai?

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UNCONDITIONAL AND ABSOLUTE

Our Sages teach us that the Esrog represents the one who has both Torah study and good deeds, the Lulav represents the one who has Torah study but lacks good deeds, the Hadassim represent the one who has good deeds but lacks Torah study and finally the Arava represents the Jew lacks both Torah study and good deeds. These four types of plants are brought together and held in the hands of every Jew as he celebrates his Succos holiday. The imagery can be appreciated as we bring all types of Jews together and in unison we draw ourselves close to HaShem.

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THE NOTES

For the past several weeks we have been using the parallel of the orchestra to gain a taste of our holidays. We understand Rosh Hashanah as our commitment to participate in the orchestra and to accept the direction from our Conductor. On the days leading up to Yom Kippur we prepared to remove any barriers that would interfere with the communication between the Conductor and ourselves. On Yom Kippur the Conductor Himself removed those barriers. During the subsequent days we pre-pared for our performance by gathering the instruments and preparing the symphony hall in which to perform. Finally, on Succos we actually perform. With our Lulav and Esrog in hand and our hearts swelling with joy that we have been chosen to perform and be so close to the Conductor, we sing our Hallel in perfect harmony to our Conductor. Every Jew performs with the instruments he was given following the notes that are designed for him. Even the non-Jews will come to hear the performance; they are, after all, the audience.