Why emphasize Lulav over Etrog?

It so happens that today, on Shabbos, the last of a long 3-day YomTov with many meals served, we’re down to 9 green tablecloths, and one yellow. This set-up makes you think of the Lulav and Etrog. (Truth is we had a few random colors left, but this color combo worked great as a Lulav-Etrog theme). There’ a lot more green out on the tables, and also in an average Lulav set, where the Etrog usually fits into the palm of your hand.

Why do we actually make the blessing “al Netilat Lulav” without mentioning the Etrog? Especially when we go by the meaningful metaphor of taste (= Torah learning) and smell (=Mitzvah observance) an Esrog is the only one in the set to have both qualities!?

There are a number of answers. One is, like our tablecloths, the Lulav is the most noticeable of the bunch, it is tall, sticks out, and can’t hide in your hand. It makes the biggest statement. Another answer has to do with the emphasis on Torah study.

This Sukkot I heard another answer, from my colleague by Rabbi Zalmy Bluming of Chabad at UNC/Duke, who some of you know from the IsraeLinks trips. It is because of another metaphor that compares The Etrog to our hearts, the myrtle to our eyes, and the willow to our lips. They are all shaped that way. The Lulav is compared to the spine. So we make the bracha with special mention of the Lulav to highlight the importance of a Jewish spine, a backbone! Good Jewish posture! To stand tall and proud for who you are and what you believe in. And in some ways a strong Jewish backbone can be much more crucial than Jewish feelings, or Jewish vision, or Jewish talk.

This is especially important today in tribute to those who came out to the Sukkah despite UAlbany hosting their annual Clash of the Quads, and there also being LarkFest downtown. Without passing judgement on anyone, it is important to appreciate and applaud those for whom their Jewish traditions and holiday observance takes highest priority. Go Lulavs!

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After the first days of the Sukkos holiday, on Chol HaMoed, I heard a different answer to this question from my father, Rabbi Israel Rubin. This beautiful answer comes by way of introduction:

There’s an opinion in the Talmud “Lulav tzarich Egged” that the myrtle and willow must be bound to the Lulav, which is basically how we do it today. The same law insists that the Esrog not be bound to the Lulav, although we do hold them together for the Mitzvah.

Why is it so important that the Lulav parts be bound together, and that the Esrog not be included in that?

This is based on the famous taste-smell analogy. Lulav has taste (it is a date-palm frond) but no smell. Myrtle twigs are fragrant but have no taste. Willows have neither taste of smell, but the Etrog has both. Taste is an analogy for Torah (which is intellectually tasty and ought to be internalized) while smell/aroma is compared to Mitzvot (good deeds which like a good smell create a pleasing and positive atmosphere and influence beyond one’s self).

So the Lulav parts all have areas of weakness, while the Esrog is perfect. Lulav parts ought to be bound together, connected with one another, so they can help, and compensate for one another. That’s actually the language of a medrash which says “May they atone for one another.” When people come together with their individual strengths and weaknesses,  and instead of clashing they help one another – that’s the greatest blessing!

And perhaps this is why – despite the superiority and inner and outer beauty of the Esrog – we make the blessing on the Lulav. We are celebrating the energy of synergy, the blessing of unity, the strengths that arise when those with weaknesses join and help one another.

Think of a relationship, be it marriage or a friendship. Each spouse brings their own strengths and weaknesses to the table, and it is when they are bound together that there is healing, support, strength and growth.