Jewish Ritualism or Biblical Command?

The Mystery of the

"Lulav"

Why do Jewish people during the Feast of Sukkot or

Tabernacles carry a "lulav" -- four special species of

plants -- and wave it back and forth as they march in

a procession around the synagogue? Is there something

Biblical about this custom? Or is this just a "ritual" that

stems from either "legalism" or "tradition," and nothing we

as Christians should be concerned with -- even though

we observe the Annual Holy Days?

William F. Dankenbring

"Lulav? What is the world is that?" many people would ask, or think, when they first heard the word. 'Is it Biblical?" others would ask.

Why is there so much ignorance and lack of understanding about the "lulav," is supposedly Christian circles, including those churches which profess to observe the "Feast of Tabernacles"?

Yet every year, at the Feast of Tabernacles, Jewish people purchase a special bundle of branches of various plants, composed of a palm branch, three myrtle branches, two willows, along with an "etrog" or citron -- called a "lulav" -- and then use them in worshipping before the Lord!

But why do they do this? And why are Christians, who even claim to observe the Feast of Taberncacles, totally ignorant of this ancient custom?

What IS the "Lulav"?

What about this matter of "lulavs"? What are they? What does the "lulav" have to do with observing the Feast of Tabernacles? Is it mere ritualism? Legalism? Jewish "tradition"? Or approved Biblical command -- custom -- and something we should take note of , and observe, during the Feast of Tabernacles? Certainly, if Almighty God says "DO IT!," then we should jump up and DO it -- without hesitation, equivocation, or hemming or hawing! Who are we to refuse a direct commanment of GOD? God is the FINAL AUTHORITY!

As Solomon warned: "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the END thereof are the ways of DEATH" (Prov.14:12; 16:25).

What does God's Word have to say about the "lulav"? Where does modern Rabbinic Judaism come up with the idea of waving a collection of branches before the Lord during the Feast of Tabernacles? Let's notice!

The original instructions God gave on this matter are found in Leviticus 23. We read, beginning in verse 39, the following:

"v.39. Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered

in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:

on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

"v.40. And ye shall take on the first day the boughs of goodly trees,

branches of palm trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall

REJOICE before the LORD your God seven days."

Now notice! The Septuagint makes this even more clear:

"v.39. And on the fifteenth day of this seventh month, , when ye

shall have completely gathered in the fruits of the earth, ye shall

keep a feast to the Lord seven days; on the first day there shall be

a rest, and on the eighth day a rest. And on the first day ye shall take

goodly fruit of trees, and branches of palm trees, and thick boughs

of trees, and willows, and branches of osiers from the brook, TO

REJOICE before the Lord your God seven days in the year."

Do you see the meaning of this commandment? God instructs His people to take these fruits and branches, and to REJOICE before Him! How simple can it be? Yet how many people today even begin to have an inkling of what this commandment of God is all about?

Going on, then:

"v.41. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the

year. It shall be a STATUTE FOR EVER in your generations: ye shall

celebrate it in the seventh month.

"v.42-43. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelite born

shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the

children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the

land of Egypt: I am the LORD thy God" (Lev.23:39-43).

Now let's notice one important discovery, right from the beginning. In verse 40 God tells us to take unto us on the first day of the Feast the boughs of various trees (which the Jews refer to as the "lulav"), and we are to REJOICE WITH THEM SEVEN DAYS.

Then in verse 41, God RECAPITULATES the Festival instructions, and says we are to observe the Feast itself SEVEN DAYS, during the seventh month (the month of Tishri). He says we are to do this FOREVER. Notice that this verse ends the train of thought. Verse 40 tells us to take various branches, and rejoice seven days. Then God says we are to observe the Feast for these seven days, for ever -- a perpetual covenant.

But then, in verse 42, God introduces a NEW INSTRUCTION -- a new thought, separated from the instructions to take various branches, and to rejoice with them, by the summary instructions of verse 41 regarding observing the Feast "forever." Now, in verse 42, God says we are to "dwell in booths seven days." Why did God add this new instruction?

"That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel

to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I

am the Lord thy God" (verse 43).

The Septuagint has this passage thus:

"Seven days ye shall dwell in tabernacles: every native in Israel

shall dwell in tents, that your posterity may see, that I made the

children of Israel to dwell in tents, when I brought them out of the

land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God" (v.42-43).

Notice! This is NEW instruction! It is not defining the "boughs" of verse 40 -- it says nothing about the boughs of verse 40. Rather, it is completely separated from that verse and those boughs by verse 41, which recapitulates the basic instructions of celebrating the Feast! Therefore, verse 42, which mentions dwelling in booths, has no direct connection with verse 40, which discusses taking boughs and REJOICING BEFORE THE LORD seven days!

The Jewish rabbis noticed this distinction, and therefore concluded that we are to take these boughs of verse 40, and use them in REJOICING before the Lord! During the time of the Second Temple -- from 445 B.C. to 70 A.D. -- they took these boughs to the Temple, and waved them "before the Lord" during the Temple services, especially the "Water Drawing Ceremony," every morning of the Festival. The priests and Levites themselves also waved the "lulavs" before the Lord, at the Temple, as they paraded in a procession around the Altar, each morning during the Feast!

The Voice of Josephus and History

The Jewish historian Josephus, who lived in the first century, and who was himself of the Jewish priestly line, and a Pharisee, in his opus Antiquity of the Jews, writes about the Feast of Tabernacles, and the custom of carrying fruit and branches from trees -- the "LULAV" -- as an integral part of the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles!

Notice!

"Upon the fifteenth day of the same month, when the season of the year is changing

for winter, the law enjoins us to pitch tabernacles in every one of our houses, so that

we preserve ourselves from the cold of that time of the year; as also that when we

should arrive at our own country, and come to that city which we should have then for

our metropolis, because of the temple therein to be built, and keep a festival of eight

days, and offer burnt offerings, and sacrifice thank offerings, THAT WE SHOULD

THEN CARRY IN OUR HANDS A BRANCH OF MYRTLE, AND WILLOW,

AND A BOUGH OF THE PALM TREE, WITH THE ADDITION OF THE POME

CITRON" (Ant., bk.3, chap.10, par.4).

How clear it should be that Josephus, a sage and historian among the Jewish people of the first century, who fought in the war against Rome in 69-70 A.D., knew the customs of his people, and plainly wrote that they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles by pitching "booths" or "tabernacles," and by carrying "in their hands a branch of myrtle, and willow, and a bough of the palm tree, with the addition of the pome citron" -- the "lulav"!

This was a commanded, integral part of the celebration of God's Feast!

Josephus further alludes to this custom in his discussion of the reign of Alexander, about one hundred years before Christ. This "king-priest" was of the party of the Sadducees, who rejected the oral law handed down by the Pharisees. Josephus records an incident which occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.):

"As to Alexander, his own people were seditious against him; for at a festival which

was then celebrated, when he stood upon the altar, and was going to sacrifice, the

nation rose upon him and PELTED HIM WITH CITRONS, [WHICH THEY THEN

HAD IN THEIR HANDS, BECAUSE] THE LAW OF THE JEWS REQUIRED,

THAT AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES EVERY ONE SHOULD HAVE BRANCHES

OF PALM TREE AND CITRON TREE: which things we have elsewhere related"

(Ant., bk.13,, chap.13, par.5).

The fact that the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated with the holding, waving, and shaking of the assorted branches composing the "lulav" should be self-evident from these historical references.

However, E. P. Sanders, in Judaism Practice & Belief 63 BCE-66 CE, provides us with further insight into this ancient festival. He relates of the "Feast of Booths":

"This was also an agricultural festival, marking the conclusion of the season of

harvest. It was a showy and happy occasion with something of a carnival spirit.

WORSHIPPERS CARRIED LULAVS, MADE OF BRANCHES FROM PALM,

WILLOW AND MYRTLE TREES, TO WHICH A CITRON (a citrus fruit) WAS

ATTACHED (Lev.23:40, Antiq.3.245). Priests carrying willow branches marched

around the altar. There was flute playing and dancing by night" (p.139).

Clearly, the use of the "lulav" in worshipping God, and praising Him and thanking Him for a bountiful harvest was done at the Feast of Tabernacles in obedience to God's command!

So why aren't many church people who claim they are celebrating the "Feast of Tabernacles" in the fall of the year OBEYING THIS PLAIN COMMAND?

Indeed, why not?

One reason, I believe, is that too many people simply follow their own customs, or the customs of their church, rather than look into the Scriptures to see HOW God commands us to observe His festivals!

Too many people try to look at God's Word, and His commandments, in "isolation" -- without considering at all the historical setting, and the observances and practices of God's people -- the Jews -- and how they have historically and traditionally observed the annual holy days. Many, because of latent anti-Semitism, have dismissed anything and everything "Jewish" simply because the Jews rejected the Messiah and did not accept Christ as the Saviour.

The Mishnah, the Oral Law of the Jews as handed down from generation to generation, and compiled into written form in the centuries after the fall of Jerusalem, that is, from 200-500 A.D., in the section on "Sukkah," part 3, gives the instructions regarding the "lulav," in detailed form. These instructions pointed out the form of the lulav -- according to Rabbi Ishmael: "Three myrtle branches [are needful] and two willow branches and one palm branch and one citron . . ." (Sukkah 3:4). The Mishnah also declares, "Beforetime the Lulab was carried seven days in the Temple, but in the provinces one day only. After the Temple was destroyed, Rabbi Jonathan B. Zakkai ordained that in the provinces it should be carried seven days in memory of the Temple" (Sukkah 3:12).

Even today, the Jews in the synagogues obtain lulavs, and wave them in worship during the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a fascinating and wonderful ceremony, tracing back to ancient Biblical times. Why, then, do the many "churches of God" entirely neglect this Biblical practice?

Isn't it about time we do as the apostle Jude exhorted? He wrote: "Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (Jude 3, Amplified Bible).

Isn't it time we "contend earnestly" for the faith once delivered, and strive to recapture the "true values" of Scripture -- and the Biblical Festivals? Isn't it time we observe God's Feast of Tabernacles in the way and in the manner He commanded?

Salvation Is "of the Jews"

Jesus Himself plainly said, "Salvation is of the JEWS" (John 4:22). The apostle Paul explained in simple terms, and clear language, "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto THEM were committed the ORACLES of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid" (Rom.3:1-4).

The Jews as a people, even though most of them have never recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah -- nevertheless, they have preserved not only the Old Testament Scriptures, but also many important historical writings, commentaries, and religious works, relating to the Bible, and its observances and ordinances -- such as the Midrash, the Mishnah, and the Talmud. Therefore, when it comes to gaining insight and understanding of the Festivals of God, who better to turn to than the Jews, who have been observing them for centuries -- and millennia? Here is a vital storehouse of knowledge which the vast majority of Christians, including festival observers, have totally ignored!

The apostle Paul was himself a Jew. Did he disparage and denigrate the knowledge of the Jews, when it came to the laws of God? Not at all! In fact, Paul himself declared of the Jews, "Who are Israelites; to who pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" (Rom.9:4). Obviously, therefore, there is a great deal we can learn from the Jewish people -- if we are open-minded and sincerely searching for truth!

The Apostle Paul's Own Background

Paul himself even "boasted" -- and claimed, under divine inspiration of God -- "I am a man verily which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city [Jerusalem] at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the LAW of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day" (Acts 22:3). Paul had high respect for the Jewish laws and knowledge of God. He did not reject all the teachings and ramifications of Judaism -- not at all.

In fact, Paul even boasted, "If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcized the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee . . . touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS" (Phil.3:4-6).

Paul was a Pharisee -- he himself said so. He identified with them even after being called of Christ into the Church as an apostle -- even in A.D. 60, some twenty five years later, in fact !

Paul also tells us, in the last chapter of the book of Acts, in his discourse to the Jewish leaders of Rome:

"Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the

people or CUSTOMS of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner

from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans" (Acts 28:17).

Common sense, therefore, tells us that Paul himself did NOT preach against the waving of the lulav, a very notable "custom" of the Jewish fathers, and rabbis, during the time of Christ and the apostles!

However, this is certainly not all of the proof we have that the waving of the lulav is a commandment of God, as initially given in the book of Leviticus! The Pharisees of the time of Christ very plainly taught that this should be done, as they interpreted the meaning of Leviticus 23:40. But what does Jesus Christ, the Messiah, say about this? Surely, we have no greater

Authority than His!

Notice!

Jesus Christ tells us this simple, basic fact -- and we must deal with it honestly and objectively. He said very simply:

"The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore WHATSO-

EVER they bid you observe, THAT OBSERVE AND DO; but do not ye

after their works; for they say, and do not" (Matt.23:2-3).

Now let me make this plain: The scribes and Pharisees taught that the 'lulav" was to be used in celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles! This fact is not in dispute. It is crystal clear.

Therefore, the real question is: Should Christians follow this example today, in observing the Feast of Tabernacles? If we are to listen to the words of Christ, the answer is very simple: It is a resounding YES!!!

So with these principles in mind, let us research further into this question. Just what do the Scriptures really say?

What the Scriptures Say

We read in Leviticus 23 concerning the Feast of Tabernacles, the following statements: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein" (Lev.23:33-36). Here the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles is commanded.

Additional instruction in observing God's festival is given in verses 39-43 of this chapter. Notice: "Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees ["thick" trees: the Hebrew word for "thick" is awboth, and means "intertwined, dense"], and willows of the brook; and ye shall REJOICE before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a STATUTE FOR EVER in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month" (Lev.23:39-41).

Notice that if we simply read this passage as God inspired it to be written, on the first day of the Feast the Israelites were to "take . . . the boughs of goodly [Strong's #1926, hadar, meaning, "magnificence, ornament, or splendor: -- beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty"] trees [Strong's #6086, 'ets, meaning: "a tree, hence wood, sticks, staff, stalk, stick, stock, etc.], branches of palm trees, and willows of the brook."

And then what does Scripture say we are to do? The very next God-breathed words -- the very next commandment -- is, "AND YE SHALL REJOICE before the Lord your God seven days."

Can't we see the connection here? It is really very straightforward. First, we gather these beautiful, ornamental branches of various plants, including the palm, and the willow, and other ornamental, goodly plants, and then USE them in REJOICING before God!

Then what? We are commanded to DO this "seven days" (v.40). Verse 41 says, "It shall be a statute forever"! What is the "statute for ever"? Everything God has said up to this point -- keeping the Feast, keeping it in the seventh month, keeping it seven days, and taking the branches and boughs and rejoicing before the Lord during the seven days of the Feast!

So far, so good. Then what? The next thing we are told, in verse 42, is that "Ye shall dwell in booths seven days." This Feast, then, was to be celebrated in "booths." The Hebrew word for "booths" here is sukkot and means "hut or lair; booth, cottage, pavilion, tabernacle, tent" (Strong's #5621). This is where the Feast of "Tabernacles" gets its name.

This passage concludes: "Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelite born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD thy God" (Lev.23:42-43).

Some have assumed that the branches, boughs and "trees" mentioned in verse 40 are the source of the building materials for these "booths." But carefully reading this passage, we find it does not say that at all. That is a mental "leap" that a modern person may conclude, not knowing either the history of Israel, or the customs of the people of Israel, in regard to this Festival of God. This shows the danger of trying to interpret and understand these commands of God without a teacher -- without further knowledge!

This danger reminds me of the Worldwide Church of God minister, who said, "The Bible is enough for me. Just the Bible. I don't need no other books at all." He did not even use veterinary books in attending to his sick animals (sheep or goats). He just resorted to "oil and wine," thinking he was following the example of the "good Samaritan"! Such a man's ignorance is laughable, or would be, if it weren't so serious. In his ignorance he is looked up to many church members, who don't realize they are being led by an ignorant "blind" man!

In the Days of Nehemiah

What we have just read is the totality of God's command, concerning the Feast of Tabernacles, as He gave it in Leviticus 23. Other Scriptures show that this Feast was to be observed at the place where God chose to put His name (Deut.14:23-25), and celebrated there, using a tithe of their increase, year by year (v.22). This would be a "second" tithe, because the first tithe in its entirety belonged to God (Lev.27:30-33). This "second tithe" was to be used "for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after [i.e., desires], for oxen [beef steaks, etc.], for sheep [lamb roast, etc.], or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thine household" (v.26).

This was God's command. But over the centuries, the nation of Israel was negligent in observing this Feast. We read in the book of Nehemiah, that after Israel returned from Babylon, in the days of Ezra the scribe, they observed the first day of the seventh month, reading in the book of the law of Moses (Neh.8:1-2). They read also from the law on the second day (v.13), and found a commandment they were not aware of!

As the people were gathered to learn more of the laws of God, "they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: And that they should proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the manner" (Neh.8:14-18).

Here again the Feast of Tabernacles is described -- and the statement is made that the festival had not been observed in this manner, with the construction of booths, since the days of Joshua himself! Truly, in the days of Ezra, there was a turning back to observe the laws of God among the people, and much more attention was given to proper and correct observance.

Now, the question arises -- since the Israelites used olive branches, pine branches, myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make their booths, was this act the fulfillment of the command to "take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs from thick trees, and willows of the brook: and ye shall rejoice before the LORD . . ."? The original instructions in Leviticus said the people were to take various branches of various plants, and "rejoice before the Lord"! Period!

Mainstream Judaism, which is descended from the Pharisees of Christ's time, teaches that this verse means exactly what it says -- no ifs, ands, or buts! That is, we are to take these boughs of palm trees, the myrtle ("thick" with leaves), and the willows, together with "goodly" fruit -- the citron or etrog -- and REJOICE with them!

But the instructions in Nehemiah refer to "olive" branches in addition, plus "pine" branches, as well as others. The olive and pine are not mentioned in Leviticus 23. These instructions in Nehemiah also said the Israelites were to build "booths" to dwell in for seven days -- temporary shelters -- with these branches, including the olive and pine.

These are a separate set of instructions -- specifically designed to inform us as to what we should use in building the "sukkah" booths! But the instructions in Leviticus 23:40 refer to what we are to take and REJOICE with!

There is a huge, gaping difference between the two sets of instructions!

In Ezra's day, over a thousand years later, they rediscovered the "law" and kept the Feast of Tabernacles for the first time in many generations! They used the materials mentioned in Nehemiah to build the booths. When we put both of these passages of Scripture together, then it is clear that the Israelites

1) used the branches mentioned in Leviticus and waved them before the LORD, in a rejoicing and worshipping context; and

2) they also used these and other branches (pine and olive) of various trees to construct their booths.

The Scripture is Nehemiah is not re-interpreting the passage in Leviticus as to HOW the branches were used in "rejoicing." Rejoicing means literally "rejoicing" -- not building a booth, or constructing a dwelling! The Hebrew wore for "rejoice" is Leviticus 23:40 is samach [Strong's #8055], and means, "to brighten up, to be blithe or gleesome, cheer up, be glad, have joy, make merry, make to rejoice."

That is the first command, all by itself! The second command is to build a "booth"! They are NOT the same thing! Building a booth itself is not rejoicing, but building. On the other hand, taking the branches described, and waving them, and marching in procession with them, before the Lord, shouting praises to God, and singing worshipful songs, THAT IS REJOICING BEFORE THE LORD, and that is what the people of Israel did during the time of the Second Temple -- and during the time of Christ!

Isn't this clear?

A Lesson from Rabbinic Judaism

Notice! Let's take a look and examine how the people of God, who preserved the oracles of God -- the Jewish people, and Jewish rabbis, and the Pharisees, who "sat is Moses' seat," remember -- understood this commandment!

In the book Celebrate! The Complete Jewish Holidays Handbook, we read:

"Khag HaAsif (Festival of Ingathering) was to take place once the produce of the

vineyards and product of the threshing rooms was collected (Exo.23:14-17; 34:22).

Beginning on the fifteenth of the seventh month, this Khag Adonai (Festival of God)

would last seven days, the first a sacred occasion when no work was to be done. The

Israelites were to take the 'product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of

leafy trees, and willows of the brook' (later called the four species) and rejoice with

them before God.

"Then another dimension was added as a 'law for all time.' For the duration of

the festival the Israelites were to live in booths (sukkot) 'so that future generations

will know that I made the Israelite people live in sukkot when I brought them out

of the land of Egypt, I the Lord your God' (Leviticus 23:39-43)" (Celebrate!, by

Lesli Koppelman Ross, p.211).

During the time of the second Temple, festival goers would gather in Jerusalem, which was festive in garlands of olive, palm, and willow branches, fragrant with fruits and flowers. The people would participate in public prayers, sing hymns, and watch or join in with religious processions at the Temple. At this time, the "four species" of foliage, specified in Leviticus 23,

would be used to celebrate and rejoice before the Lord.

We read the following:

"The four species (definitively identified through Oral Tradition as palm, willow, and

myrtle bound together into a lulav, and an etrog [citron]) were now part of the ritual.

Each day of sukkot, the priests, holding the lulav and etrog in hand, marched around

the altar, which had been adorned with freshly cut willow branches. As they circled, they

recited a psalm asking God to 'please save us' (Hoshiah na)" (p.213).

Why are these "four species" used to celebrate Sukkot? Says The Jewish Book of Why by Alfred J. Kolatch:

"The use of four species of plants is PRESCRIBED IN LEVITICUS 23:40: 'And you

shall take on the first day [of the holiday] the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees,

and boughs of thick trees [myrtle branches], and willows of the brook, and you shall

rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.' The Bible does not specify precisely

which trees and fruits are to be taken.

"Jewish authorities have interpreted the 'fruit of goodly trees' to mean the etrog [the

citron] , and the 'branches of [date] palms' to mean the lulav. The 'boughs of thick

trees' refers to the myrtle (called hadasim in Hebrew], and 'willows of the brook' are

the familiar willow trees (called aravot in Hebrew).  <