The Weekly Shtikle - Sukkos
In reviewing my archives on Sukkos, I came across an observation from a number of years ago for which I have not received an explanation. There is an interesting discrepancy in the mitzvos we perform as part of the holidays of this month. First, we have the shofar on Rosh HaShanah. The Torah does not ever identify the shofar by name when talking about Rosh HaShanah. We are simply told it is a "yom teruah." However, in other contexts (matan Torah, yovel), the shofar is mentioned by name with no explanation as to what exactly it is. We are not told to blow the horn of a ram – except perhaps in Shemos (19:13, see Rashi), "bimshoch hayovel." But then it is not referred to as a shofar.
Conversely, when we are taught of the four species to be brought on Sukkos, the traditional names we use for them are not mentioned at all (with the exception of aravos.) We are not told to take an esrog, a lulav, hadassim, etc. Rather, we are told to take a pri eitz hadar, a palm branch, etc. The focus is placed on the actual source of the species or its very specific qualities, rather than simply naming them.
So, we have a disparity in the focus of the various mitzvah objects we use during this month. This is contrasted with the laws of Pesach which are quite explicit in the Torah. I don't really have a definite direction on these thoughts – just want to put it out there for discussion. Perhaps the essence of the shofar is not necessarily its source (despite the ties to akeidas Yitzchak) but the sound it produces. This is evident in the berachah we make, as well as the halachah that one fulfills their obligation even with a stolen shofar (Rambam 1:3). With the four species, however, the source of the actual species is of great significance and defines their very essence.
Have a good yom tov.
Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com
Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:
Dikdukian: Sukas Dovid Hanofeles
Al Pi Cheshbon: Number of bakashos in Ya'aleh veYavo
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