share torah logo

Leviticus 23:40 - Four species bring Divine joy

Leviticus 23:40 - ויקרא 23:40

Hebrew Text

וּלְקַחְתֶּם לָכֶם בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים וַעֲנַף עֵץ־עָבֹת וְעַרְבֵי־נָחַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם שִׁבְעַת יָמִים׃

English Translation

And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of the tree hadar, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick leaved trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.

Transliteration

Ulekachtem lachem bayom harishon pri etz hadar kapot temarim va'anaf etz-avot ve'arvei-nachal usmachtem lifnei Adonai Eloheichem shivat yamim.

Hebrew Leining Text

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

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Four Species (ארבעת המינים)

The verse (Vayikra 23:40) commands the taking of the Four Species during the festival of Sukkot: etrog (fruit of the tree hadar), lulav (branches of palm trees), hadasim (boughs of thick-leaved trees), and aravot (willows of the brook). These species are bound together in fulfillment of the mitzvah and are waved in all six directions—symbolizing Hashem's dominion over all creation (Sukkah 37b).

Symbolism of the Four Species

According to the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:12), each of the Four Species represents different types of Jews:

  • Etrog (פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר) – Has both taste and fragrance, symbolizing Jews who possess both Torah knowledge and good deeds.
  • Lulav (כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים) – The date palm has taste (dates) but no fragrance, representing Jews with Torah knowledge but lacking in mitzvot.
  • Hadasim (עֲנַף עֵץ־עָבֹת) – The myrtle has fragrance but no taste, symbolizing Jews who perform mitzvot but lack Torah study.
  • Aravot (עַרְבֵי־נָחַל) – The willow has neither taste nor fragrance, representing Jews who lack both Torah and mitzvot.

By binding them together, we demonstrate unity among all Jews (Rashi, Vayikra 23:40).

Rejoicing Before Hashem

The verse concludes with the command to rejoice before Hashem for seven days. The Talmud (Sukkah 48a) teaches that this rejoicing refers to the Simchat Beit HaShoeva (Water-Drawing Celebration) in the Beit HaMikdash, where there was great festivity with music, dancing, and Torah scholars performing miracles. Rambam (Hilchot Lulav 8:12) emphasizes that true simcha (joy) comes from serving Hashem with awe and gratitude.

Halachic Requirements

Rambam (Hilchot Lulav 7:1-5) details the halachic specifications for each species:

  • The etrog must be beautiful (הָדָר) and free of blemishes.
  • The lulav must have a tightly closed central spine (תְּמָרִים).
  • The hadasim must have leaves covering the stem in sets of three (עֵץ־עָבֹת).
  • The aravot must come from a willow tree near a brook (עַרְבֵי־נָחַל).

These requirements ensure the mitzvah is performed with hiddur (beautification), as derived from the word הָדָר in the verse (Sukkah 31b).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sukkah 32a
The verse is discussed in the context of the mitzvah of taking the four species (lulav, etrog, hadassim, and aravot) during the festival of Sukkot.
📖 Sukkah 34b
Further discussion on the requirements for the four species, particularly focusing on the 'fruit of the tree hadar' (etrog) and the other species mentioned in the verse.
📖 Sukkah 37b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper way to hold and wave the four species during Sukkot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the four species mentioned in Leviticus 23:40?
A: The four species mentioned are: 1) 'P'ri Etz Hadar' (fruit of the beautiful tree) - traditionally understood as the etrog (citron), 2) 'Kapot Temarim' (branches of palm trees) - the lulav, 3) 'Anaf Etz Avot' (boughs of thick-leaved trees) - the myrtle (hadasim), and 4) 'Aravot Nachal' (willows of the brook) - the aravot (willow branches). These are used during Sukkot as commanded in the Torah.
Q: Why do we wave the four species during Sukkot?
A: We wave the four species in all six directions (east, south, west, north, up, and down) to symbolize that Hashem is everywhere and rules over all creation. The Talmud (Sukkah 37b) explains that this act demonstrates our recognition of G-d's dominion over the entire universe. Additionally, the Midrash connects each species to different types of Jews, teaching unity among the Jewish people.
Q: What is the significance of rejoicing before Hashem for seven days?
A: The seven days of rejoicing during Sukkot represent our complete trust in Hashem's protection, just as our ancestors relied on Him during their 40 years in the wilderness. The Rambam (Hilchot Lulav 8:12) explains that this joy comes from fulfilling the mitzvah and recognizing Hashem's kindness. The number seven also alludes to the completeness of the spiritual connection we achieve during this holiday.
Q: Why is the etrog considered 'the fruit of the beautiful tree'?
A: Rashi explains that 'Hadar' (beautiful) refers to the etrog because it is a fruit that remains on its tree from year to year ('ha-dar' meaning 'that which dwells'), symbolizing consistency in our service to Hashem. The etrog is also beautiful in appearance, taste, and smell, representing Jews who have Torah knowledge, good deeds, and both together (Talmud, Chagigah 27a).
Q: How do the four species relate to our daily lives today?
A: The four species teach us important lessons for daily living: 1) The etrog (with taste and smell) represents Jews with both Torah and good deeds, 2) The lulav (date palm with taste but no smell) represents those with Torah but not deeds, 3) The hadasim (myrtle with smell but no taste) represents those with deeds but not Torah, and 4) The aravot (willow with neither) represents those lacking both. This teaches us to bring all Jews together in unity (Vayikra Rabbah 30:12). Additionally, their different growth conditions remind us to serve Hashem in all circumstances of life.