Leviticus: Parshah Emor: Why do we shake the 4 species in all directions?

Did you know...?

Ch.23, vs.40

Why do we shake the 4 species in all directions?

וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙ כַּפֹּ֣ת תְּמָרִ֔ים וַעֲנַ֥ף עֵץ־עָבֹ֖ת וְעַרְבֵי־נָ֑חַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵ֛י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

The reason we shake the 4 species in all directions is in order to symbolize our hope, that we not be visited by harmful winds, such as storms and tempests that could come from any direction.

We then raise and lower them to symbolize our hope that any harmful dews and rains are halted.

(Sukkah 37b)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dedicated Today L'iluy nishmat Shmuel ben Guershon

To dedicate a "Daily Parsha: Did you know..?" please send us an email via our Contact Form.

Photo Credits: https://www.umjc.org/commentary/2017/10/4/how-to-shake-a-lulav