Our friend Rabbi Levi Cash, who for a number of years worked with Zaide Reuven’s Esrog Farm in Dallas, recently moved to the LA area. Convinced of the quality of our famed esrogim, Rabbi Levi discussed with us the possibility of making them available in the LA area. We agreed on one condition, that even though “al pi halacha” he would be be able to set up shop and start selling, it would not be c’dai (appropriate) if we were in any way going to impinge on the parnassah (livleihood) of another.
To explain this, let’s remind ourselves of the famous Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:12) which regards each of the Four Species as one of four kinds of Jew who comprise the Jewish people:
- The Esrog (smell and taste) is the Jew who combines Torah study with good deeds.
- The Lulav (taste but no smell) is the Jew who studies Torah, but does no good deeds.
- The Hadas (smell but no taste) is the Jew who performs good deeds, but does not study Torah.
- The Arava (no smell, no taste) is the Jew who neither studies Torah nor performs good deeds.
According to this Midrash Hashem said “I do not want to destroy even the last group; let all four groups unite so that one can atone for other”.
According to this interpretation, the essence of the Four Species is Jewish Unity, Achdus Yisroel, and Ahavas Yisroel (love within the nation).
Let’s think about that. We take the lulav and esrog to invoke Hashem’s blessing that we, as a nation, should have Unity and Love.
Unity and love. We need both more than ever. Continue reading “Selling Achdus Yisroel – Jewish Unity”