Drash on Succot 2025

Rabbi Dr Orna Triguboff

Emanuel Synagogue and Neshama Life

The festival of Sukkot reminds us of the indigenous connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. We hold in our hands, four plant species that grow in Israel and shake them towards the six directions of space and we pray for rain after a long dry summer even if we are living in Australia. This year more than ever, our hearts are with our sisters and brother in Israel, praying for the release of the hostages, success and safety of our soldiers and wellbeing for all innocents in the region.

How can we make this Sukkot even more meaningful? By understanding some of the deep symbolism of our traditions.

The ancient text, the Zohar (meaning ‘radiance’) likens sitting in the sukkah to being embraced by the wings of cherub angels.

Building on statements in the Talmud, the lulav palm branch is symbolic of the spine, it’s straightness reminds us of the principle of yosher ‘authenticity’ which is one of the key Jewish ethical qualities for which we strive.

The etrog citron is symbolic of the heart and the shekhinah – the divine presence and goodness within each of us – our neshamah tehorah, our pure soul.

The 16th Century rabbi of the Galilee, The Ari, taught that when we hold the lulav in our hands made up of the 4 plant species, and shake them to the six directions, we are connecting with six soul forces that can inspire us and help fulfil our potential. As we shake the lulav we are invited to be mindful of the particular quality associated with that direction. We connect with the ideal of that quality and how we can integrate it into our lives:

Shaking the lulav to the:

• Right – Loving-Kindness (in Hebrew Chesed)
• Left – Courage (Gevurah)
• Front – Balance (Tiferet)
• Up – Endurance (Netzach)
• Down – Gratitude (Hod)
• Back – Connecting with others (Yesod)

When we shake the lulav away from us, we connect with the universal quality, when we bring the lulav back to our heart, we meditate on how that quality can be active in our life in a personal way.

With these teachings in mind, let’s have a meaningful Sukkot and let’s be agents of change for good in the world – as we sit in the sukkah surrounded by angel wings, and as we shake the lulav in each direction, gaining soul forces will hold us in good stead in the year to come.

You are most welcome to join my regular online free weekly meditation class in Kabbalah and Jewish Meditation. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtcu6sqjIrGdcFF66bxB-EbWdfynem6QcR.

Chag Sameach and Am Yisrael Chai

Dr. Rabbi Orna Triguboff