Comments on: Chag Sameach Sukkot!

By: Zion Mystic

Zion Mystic — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:18:37 +0000

Does the spice bush give a hot spice? If so, maybe that’s why you might associate it with fire? Just suggesting.

By: Carly (Chava Chai - חוה חי)

Carly (Chava Chai - חוה חי) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:46:22 +0000

Dotan,

Interesting perspective. Clearly in Israel, you don’t need to worry so much about recreating a local lulav! Interesting elemental associations. I don’t tend to incorporate Asherah in my thinking, so I would never have thought of her association to the Palm tree.

Turns out that I saw the same associations in R’Jill’s book “The Jewish Book of Days.” She also mentions the association of the different parts of the body with Lulav and Etrog.

Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts!

By: Dotan

Dotan — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:53:40 +0000

Chag Sameach!
Regarding to the elemental correspondence, I would associate the palm tree with the earth, and the etrog with fire.
The palm tree is a tree that sustains life, like the earth. it is also the symbol of Ashera, who is definately an earthy goddess.
The Etrog, as a citrus fruit, reminds me of the fire element.

Regarding the substitutions - I don’t know what plants you there in the US, but I would consider this:
Willow: should be a plant that grows on water. should have no taste or smell.
Myrtle: should be a plant with a lot of leaves on the branches (עץ עבות). should have smell and no taste.
Palm: should have taste and no smell.
Etrog: this is a tricky one. The bible sais: פרי עץ הדר. that could mean:
- a member of the citrus family.
- a nice looking tree.
- a tree that it’s leaves and it’s fruits have the same taste & smell.
- a tree that grows fruits all year long.
anyway, it should have both taste and smell. I thing I’d use lemon or orange.

Good luck and wonderful harvest,
-Dotan.