Kesher Talk

Simchat Torah count-up - Day 3. Last night I went with a group from one of my shuls to the heart of frum Brooklyn to buy our ritual implements for the holiday: strolling down the street on a warm October evening, perusing table after table of etrogs and lulavs, comparing prices, checking each for its beauty and adherence to halachic standards.

One of the things I love about Judaism is that it's visceral. Jewish practice is full of tangible objects that are either from the natural world or crafted by human hands: kiddush cups, seder plates, hanukkiahs, yads, challah covers, wool tallisim, calligraphed skeepskin parchment scrolls, ram's horns, etrogs, willow branches, bread crumbs, roasted eggs . . . . Eretz Yisrael is "the land of milk and honey." And not only is it visceral, but pleasurable as well - we are supposed to make our observance of the commandments as beautiful as possible, within our means, sanctifying Jewish artistic expression in the service of God.

Sukkot and Pesach deploy the greatest concentration of ritual objects (at opposite poles of the year - fall and spring - they are both harvest festivals). But almost all of the ritual objects for Sukkot are perishable (that's the point). At this time of year, everyone has advice on how to keep the four species fresh as long as possible, especially the fragile willow. After all, they have to last through seven mornings of being carried around the shul and shook.

posted by Judith @ 10/09/2003 09:57:41 PM